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MIAMI, Florida (CMC) – Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz will face a daunting task against CONCACAF giants Mexico, when they launch their quest to reach their second World Cup finals in Brazil in 2014. In Wednesday’s draw to determine the schedule for the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, Jamaica found themselves paired with El Tricolor in Mexico City for the opening series of matches on February 6.
The final round of qualifiers will run until October 15 and will see Mexico, Jamaica, Honduras, United States, Panama and Costa Rica playing each other twice on a home-and-away basis.
At the end of the round, the top three teams will advance to the 2014 FIFA World Cup with the fourth-placed team entering an intercontinental playoff against the first-placed team from the Oceania Football Confederation in November.
“We want to thank FIFA for holding this draw as we are proud for our six member-associations who will be competing for the honour of representing CONCACAF at the next FIFA World Cup,” said CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb said.
“This process is a clear example of the integration among all federations who are committed to safeguarding football standards and encouraging authentic rivalry and competition.”
FIFA’s head of World Cup and Olympic Qualifying, Gordon Savic, said preparation would begin immediately on the hosting of these matches.
“After a very exciting third round in the CONCACAF qualifiers we are very much looking forward to the last stage to begin and to successfully continue delivering together with the finalists the remainder of this competition,” said Savic.
“The opening matches in February are just around the corner and we shall immediately start coordinating these matches with the respective host member associations.”
Jamaica will have their hands full against the buoyant Mexicans who finished the semi-final round with a perfect record of six wins from as many games.
The reigning Gold Cup and World Cup champions are heavily tipped to clinch an automatic qualifying spot.
Jamaica, the only Caribbean Football Union nation in the final round of qualifiers, will follow up their Mexico trip with a clash against Panama at home in Kingston on March 22 before travelling to San Jose four days later to face Costa Rica.
The Reggae Boyz are vying for their second-ever spot at a World Cup finals after their success 14 years ago.
The final round of qualifiers will run until October 15 and will see Mexico, Jamaica, Honduras, United States, Panama and Costa Rica playing each other twice on a home-and-away basis.
At the end of the round, the top three teams will advance to the 2014 FIFA World Cup with the fourth-placed team entering an intercontinental playoff against the first-placed team from the Oceania Football Confederation in November.
“We want to thank FIFA for holding this draw as we are proud for our six member-associations who will be competing for the honour of representing CONCACAF at the next FIFA World Cup,” said CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb said.
“This process is a clear example of the integration among all federations who are committed to safeguarding football standards and encouraging authentic rivalry and competition.”
FIFA’s head of World Cup and Olympic Qualifying, Gordon Savic, said preparation would begin immediately on the hosting of these matches.
“After a very exciting third round in the CONCACAF qualifiers we are very much looking forward to the last stage to begin and to successfully continue delivering together with the finalists the remainder of this competition,” said Savic.
“The opening matches in February are just around the corner and we shall immediately start coordinating these matches with the respective host member associations.”
Jamaica will have their hands full against the buoyant Mexicans who finished the semi-final round with a perfect record of six wins from as many games.
The reigning Gold Cup and World Cup champions are heavily tipped to clinch an automatic qualifying spot.
Jamaica, the only Caribbean Football Union nation in the final round of qualifiers, will follow up their Mexico trip with a clash against Panama at home in Kingston on March 22 before travelling to San Jose four days later to face Costa Rica.
The Reggae Boyz are vying for their second-ever spot at a World Cup finals after their success 14 years ago.
