Eight teams left in the 2022 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship
The United States, Mexico and Honduras are the top contenders to win the 28th edition of the tournament that is being hosted in Honduras.
Eight teams will fight for the four spots available in CONCACAF to participate at the 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia and two will represent the region in the 2024 Summer Olympics. The United States are the defending champions of the campaign and they had a dominant performance against Nicaragua in the knockout stage over the weekend.
The United States youth national team defeated Los Pinoleros 5-0 to advance to the quarter-finals of the tournament and the team was led by striker Quinn Sullivan, who bagged a brace. Now the Americans will have to face Costa Rica in the next round and the game will be played on 28 June for a berth at the 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Mexican youth national team didn’t have a problem defeating Puerto Rico in the knockout stage. Mexico won 6-0 and now they will play against Guatemala, who defeated Canada in penalties, in the quarter-final on 29 June as they look to secure their spot in the upcoming World Cup.
El Salvador suffered a shocking elimination
The El Salvador youth national team won all their games in the group stage and they were heavy favorites to defeat the Dominican Republic in the knockout stage. Unfortunately, Los Cuscatlecos lost 5-4 and their dream to play in the World Cup next year has come to an end and the Dominicans will play against Jamaica on 29 June in the quarter-final.
The hosts Honduras kept their dream alive for a berth at the 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup with a 4-1 win over Curaçao. Now Los Catrachos will have to play Panama, who defeated Cuba 1-0 over the weekend, in the quarter-finals on 28 June.