Immediately following Thursday’s World Cup qualifier between the U.S. Men’s National Team and Trinidad and Tobago, two other matches will round out Matchday 5 in CONCACAF’s Hexagonal. We preview those games in the space below.
Each team has six qualifying matches to play between now and October, with the top three teams punching their ticket to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The fourth-place finisher will progress to an intercontinental playoff in November with a World Cup berth up for grabs.
Mexico vs. Honduras
2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CONCACAF Hexagonal
Thursday, June 8 | 9 p.m. CT | FS1, UniMas, UDN
Estadio Azteca | Mexico City, Mexico
Group leader Mexico is cruising towards qualification for its seventh straight World Cup ahead of Thursday’s match at home. El Tricolor took 10 of a possible 12 points and has a double-dose of games at Estadio Azteca in June, beginning with their Matchday 5 clash against Honduras. Head coach Juan Carlos Osorio’s side will now look to keep building on that momentum and get three more points at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with kickoff set for 9 p.m. CT on FS1, UniMas and UDN.
Honduras has had the exact opposite schedule from Mexico, having already played three games at home and only one away. La Bicolor is ranked fifth in the Hex with just four points, and a win would be crucial for them to stay alive and preserve their hopes of qualifying for a third straight World Cup.
Honduras has done well in the their last two visits to Azteca, with a draw last September preceded by a 2-1 win in 2013 that helped La Bicolor reach the 2014 FIFA World Cup. At the same time, Mexico has an impressive all-time record in the series, going 18-6-8 overall and 10-5-5 in World Cup Qualifying. Led by captain Rafael Marquez, El Tri will attempt to gain six points from their two June matches to move even closer to World Cup qualification.
Costa Rica vs. Panama
FIFA World Cup Qualifier - CONCACAF Hexagonal
Thursday, June 8, 9 p.m. CT | beIN SPORTS
Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica | San Jose, Costa Rica
Hexagonal dates in November were positive for both Costa Rica and Panama. Since then, they have earned just one point each from their two matches in March and will look to bounce back this Thursday at 9 p.m. CT in Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica in San Jose, Costa Rica. The match will be televised on beIN SPORTS.
Costa Rica will approach the game with confidence, with two wins in their previous two games against Panama thanks to a 2-1 victory in Panama on Nov. 17, 2015 before a 3-1 home win on Sept. 2, 2016.
The home team has played three of their four qualifiers away, but La Sele will look to exploit their advantage of the first of two home matches in June. They could potentially create a gap between themselves and the rest of their opponents if they acquire six points in June.
Panama will use their 1-0 victory against Honduras back in November to motivate themselves to extend their winning ways. Veteran captain Felipe Baloy will seek to lead his teammates to a positive result on the road, but Los Canaleros have never won a World Cup qualifier in Costa Rica. A draw would be considered an accomplishment for Panama ahead of a vital Matchday 6 home date with Honduras.
Hexagonal Standings
Team |
PTS |
W |
L |
D |
GF |
GA |
GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mexico |
10 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
+4 |
Costa Rica |
7 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
3 |
+4 |
Panama |
5 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
USA |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
8 |
7 |
+1 |
Honduras |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
9 |
-5 |
Trinidad & Tobago |
3 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
-4 |
