Oh CONCACAF, you're adorable.
So, the Hex is back but instead of earning your way there by finishing in the Top 2 in your group in the previous round, the 6 teams will be determined by FIFA rankings. You might say, well ok, USA and Mexico are going to get there anyway so why make them play more games to delay the inevitable. OK, fine. But there's 9 other teams which aren't separated by much who are trying to get those last 4 places. If they get left out based on arbitrary FIFA math, their shot to make the World Cup becomes essentially impossible.
So, if you are Canada, who actually has a Bayern Munich player and in my opinion, the best collection of talent in their history (I know, still doesn't say much), they could barely miss out on the Hex due to math and then have to do the following to qualify:
- Win your 4 team group (6 games). This shouldn't be overly difficult since they will be playing lower tier teams.
- Win an 8 team 2 leg knockout tournament of the 8 group winners from the previous stage.
- Win a 2 leg playoff vs the 4th place finisher from the Hex
- Win a 2 leg playoff vs a team from South America, Asia (has not been determined yet) or New Zealand.
So, lets use the rankings right now. The Hex would be Mexico, USA, CR, Jam, Hon, El Salvador.
The 8 group winners would be Panama, Canada, Curacao, TT, Haiti, Antigua, Nicaragua, St Kitts.
All El Salvador would have to do is grab 1 of 2 spots behind Mexico meaning finishing ahead of all but 1 of the following teams: USA, CR, Hon, Jam and they qualify directly. Meanwhile, Panama and Canada would have NO direct path to the World Cup and would have to win 5 2 leg series to get there. Crazy, crazy stuff.
So, the Hex is back but instead of earning your way there by finishing in the Top 2 in your group in the previous round, the 6 teams will be determined by FIFA rankings. You might say, well ok, USA and Mexico are going to get there anyway so why make them play more games to delay the inevitable. OK, fine. But there's 9 other teams which aren't separated by much who are trying to get those last 4 places. If they get left out based on arbitrary FIFA math, their shot to make the World Cup becomes essentially impossible.
So, if you are Canada, who actually has a Bayern Munich player and in my opinion, the best collection of talent in their history (I know, still doesn't say much), they could barely miss out on the Hex due to math and then have to do the following to qualify:
- Win your 4 team group (6 games). This shouldn't be overly difficult since they will be playing lower tier teams.
- Win an 8 team 2 leg knockout tournament of the 8 group winners from the previous stage.
- Win a 2 leg playoff vs the 4th place finisher from the Hex
- Win a 2 leg playoff vs a team from South America, Asia (has not been determined yet) or New Zealand.
So, lets use the rankings right now. The Hex would be Mexico, USA, CR, Jam, Hon, El Salvador.
The 8 group winners would be Panama, Canada, Curacao, TT, Haiti, Antigua, Nicaragua, St Kitts.
All El Salvador would have to do is grab 1 of 2 spots behind Mexico meaning finishing ahead of all but 1 of the following teams: USA, CR, Hon, Jam and they qualify directly. Meanwhile, Panama and Canada would have NO direct path to the World Cup and would have to win 5 2 leg series to get there. Crazy, crazy stuff.