The United States is missing a step for Qatar, but Panama must win. And on the way out …

The United States is just short of, very little, for direct access to the Qatar 2022 World Cup. The draw against Mexico did not complicate things too much, Costa Rica has come a little closer but is still at a safe distance. The situation is still under the control of the stars and stripes national team. Brief summary: who goes to Qatar between the national teams of Central and North America? There are two days to go to the end of the single group with eight teams, the first three go to the World Cup and the fourth will have to go through the intercontinental play-off. This is the ranking, with 180 ‘still to be played: Canada 25, United States and Mexico 22, Costa Rica 19, Panama 18, El Salvador 10, Jamaica 8, Honduras 4.

The situation

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The next commitment of the United States is delicate: in fact, the match against Panama is scheduled, in search of a success to call everything into question. The US can put an end to the qualification speech, while Thomas Christiansen’s national team is not over yet. Even if in the last round there was a huge untapped opportunity: on the one hand the draw between Mexico and the United States (0-0 at the Azteca stadium), on the other the 1-1 with which Panama was stopped at home from rear Honduras. A result that is likely to be heavy, even if fourth place (minimum goal, valid for the play-offs) is close.

Previous

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The draw against Mexico halted a three-game winning streak by the United States. Gregg Berhalter’s national team have not conceded a goal in their last four games played in the group, from 1-1 at Jamaica on 16 November. Panama has instead won only one point in the last two (defeat against Mexico and, in fact, a draw with Honduras) and has found a victory in the four most recent games. But the United States must be careful: Panama won 1-0 at home in the first leg thanks to Anibal Godoy’s goal at the beginning of the second half. It was the third win in 24 matches against the United States, who have won 17 times (four draws).