On Thursday morning (31st), in the final round of the World Cup Final in North and Central America, although the United States was defeated by Costa Rica 0-2, the other side was tied, but still with more net goals, the opponents were able to win the 3rd place direct qualification.
As for Mexico, they beat El Salvador 2-0 to get the right to qualify, in other words, the three direct qualifying places in North and Central America fall in the hands of three big countries, Canada, the United States and Mexico, and it is worth mentioning that these three countries will co-host the final week of the 2026 World Cup.
Costa Rica had to beat the United States to have a chance to overtake their former rivals, but they scored first in the second half and only won 2-0, with a goal difference of 6 goals less than the United States, and can only be ranked 4th, and will play a play-off game with New Zealand, an Oceania team, in June to fight for a qualifying spot.
Mexico took a two-goal lead in the first half against El Salvador, who are already out of the tournament, including a 12-yard goal by Raul Jimenez.
With Mexico and the United States out of the tournament, 29 of the 32 teams in this year's World Cup Finals have already been crowned, with the last three remaining spots to be determined by play-offs, including Costa Rica v New Zealand, and Peru meeting the Asian representative of the tournament, the winner of the UAE v Australia.
As for Europe, the winner of the Scotland v Ukraine match will have to compete with Wales for a place in the World Cup, which starts on November 21st, with the championship match on December 18th.
List of 29 teams that have made the cut
:: Europe: Germany, Denmark, France, Belgium, Croatia, Spain, Serbia, England, Switzerland, Netherlands, Portugal, Poland
:: South America: Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Uruguay
:: Asia: Qatar, Iran, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia
:: Africa: Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco, Cameroon
:: North and Central America: Canada, Mexico, United States of America
The remaining three seats will be determined by a play-off.
:: Costa Rica vs. New Zealand
:: Peru vs. United Arab Emirates or Australia
