CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE
Can the USMNT qualify for the 2024 Copa América if they lose against Trinidad & Tobago?
The two-legged CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals are played in November, with plenty riding on the results for the teams involved.
If you’ve stumbled upon this article seeking definitive guidance on whether or not the United States face a must-win game against Trinidad and Tobago in the Nations League quarter-final that is almost upon us, you’re in luck. That said, the most simplistic answer I can give you to the question ‘Can the USMNT qualify for the 2024 Copa América if they lose?’ is yes... and yes. Allow me to elaborate.
USMNT: two legs and a Copa América playoff
Later today, it being Thursday 16 November, the US men’s team will clash with Trinidad & Tobago at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. Check out how you can keep tabs on it. This is the first leg of a double header with the Soca Warriors playing host on Monday 20th. The winner will progress to the 2024 Copa América next summer.
That means, to explain my first ‘yes’ above, that the Stars and Stripes can lose the opener but win on the road by a better score and qualify on aggregate. So, what about if they get knocked out over the two legs? That’s where the second ‘yes’ comes in.
What happens if Trinidad & Tobago beat the USMNT?
So, let your mind drift for a moment and let us all imagine that the Caribbean nation triumphs in the quarter-final and send Gregg Berhalter’s troops packing with their collective tails dangling pathetically between their drained legs. (Our Roddy is certainly not going to buy that prediction!) Well, even that embarrassing Nations League exit (c’mon, it’s not disrespect, but T&T are ranked 99th in the world by FIFA, 80 places below Pulisic, who’s injured, and co.) would not rule out the Copa América hosts in 2024 from competing.
You see, from the eight teams competing in the quarter-finals, the four winners qualify but the four losers then play off for the final two spots in the expanded edition due to new strategic agreement between CONCACAF and CONMEBOL.
Let’s just say, if you’re a fan of the Stars and Stripes soccer team, go ahead and start planning for next summer’s competition. Your boys will be there.