The road to Qatar in CONCACAF is already halfway through, and Thursday, all teams will see action. Coincidentally, the top four teams are facing the bottom four.

Jamaica vs. Mexico

The evening starts with Mexico facing Jamaica at Kingston. Reports indicate that the playing field at Independence Park is in an optimal state, a far cry from the patchy conditions of yesteryears, which benefited the physical gameplay of the Jamaicans.

According to Tranfermarkt, the monetary value of the Mexican team is just shy of $240 million. Four and a half times more than Jamaica’s $52 million. Hirving Lozano alone commands a whopping $44 million.

The bulk of the Caribbean team play in the English Championship, England’s second division, although they also play in the MLS, France’s Ligue 2, and England’s Premier League. None play in their domestic league. This contrasts thoroughly with the Mexican side, whose roster plays mostly at Liga MX, with some players acting in Europe’s top leagues, with varying degrees of participation in their teams.

It’s important to point out that the match will be played without any fans as the government has decided that Jamaica’s next two games will be behind closed doors.

If Mexico is able to capture the victory, they would be able to return to the top of the classification table, if the US and Canada fail to win. Jamaica on the other hand, even with the win, would still be out of the World Cup but could get ahead of Costa Rica if the Ticos can’t win.

United States vs. El Salvador

The US receive El Salvador in what many could argue should be three points already budgeted, especially considering the momentum they gained at home last fall when they defeated both Mexico and Costa Rica with undeniably better football. In addition, the Stars & Stripes are playing at one of the favorite cities; Columbus, Ohio.

A victory by the Americans, a defeat by Costa Rica and at least a draw by Jamaica will see clear 9 points of the 5th spot. That is vital as a 4th-place finish in the Hexagonal means that worst-case scenario, you play in the playoffs vs. Oceania for a spot in the World Cup.

Hounduras vs. Canada

The top and the last teams continue the evening, with the leader Canada visiting Honduras. Day and night for these two teams. Canada is the revelation team, perhaps in all confederations, while Honduras has only managed to scrape three points in the eight previous games, and is yet to get a single victory. Perhaps the only thing in favor of the Hondurans is that they will be able to avoid the freezing winter that has befallen many Canadian cities this January.

Costa Rica vs. Panama

The night concludes with the two mid-table teams when Costa Rica host Panama in what may be the evenest match of the day.

After a rocky beginning, Costa Rica will be able to get dangerously close to Mexico, which has 12 points and would be just two points ahead of Costa Rica in case of a victory. If Panama wins, however, they would be surpassing Mexico if El Tri is unable to get the victory at Kingston.

Interestingly, the top team faces the last, the second-best faces the second last, and so on. A night prone to surprises and undoubtedly, good football

Be sure to tune in Thursday at 9 pm E.T./6pm E.T. for the latest episode of El Mexican Soccer Podcast, as we bring you live postgame reaction and analysis of Mexico’s World Cup Qualifier against Jamaica, with special guest “The Soccer O.G.” Max Bretos!

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