The upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF qualifier match between the national soccer teams of Mexico and Honduras is scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 10, 2021. The game will kick off at 7:00 PM Central Standard Time and will be played at the Estadio Azteca stadium in Mexico City, Mexico.
Quick Overview of World Cup Qualifying in CONCACAF
The CONCACAF region includes North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. There are 35 teams competing in World Cup qualifying in the CONCACAF region for the 2022 FIFA World Cup which will take place in Qatar. The top three teams from the CONCACAF qualifying tournament will automatically qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
The fourth place CONCACAF team will enter into a intercontinental playoff against a team from Oceania for one more World Cup spot. So finishing in the top four of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying is crucial for teams like Mexico and Honduras if they want to play in the 2022 World Cup.
Format of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying
The CONCACAF World Cup qualifying tournament is divided into three rounds. In the first round, 30 teams were drawn into 6 groups of 5 teams each. Each group played a round robin format with the top team advancing to the second round.
In the second round, the 6 group winners from the first round joined the top 5 CONCACAF teams (Mexico, USA, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Honduras) who received byes directly to the second round. These 11 teams were divided into 3 groups. The top two teams from each group advance to the third and final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.
The third round, known as the “Octagonal”, features 8 teams. They play each other home and away in a double round robin format. The top three teams qualify directly for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The fourth place team advances to the intercontinental playoff.
Mexico and Honduras Paths to the Octagonal
As two of the top five ranked teams in CONCACAF, Mexico and Honduras received byes directly to the second round of World Cup qualifying. Mexico was placed in Group A while Honduras was placed in Group C.
Mexico comfortably finished first in Group A with 14 points from a record of 4 wins, 2 draws, and 0 losses. They scored 11 goals while only allowing 3 for a +8 goal differential. Their second round matches included two big victories over arch-rival USA.
Honduras had a tougher time but managed to finish second in Group C behind Canada. Honduras picked up 10 points from a record of 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses. They scored 7 goals while allowing 6 for a +1 goal differential. Key wins over El Salvador and Panama propelled them to the Octagonal.
Current Standings in the Octagonal
We are now 7 matches into the 14 match round robin Octagonal tournament. Here are the current standings:
Pos | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
1 | Canada | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 5 | +8 | 15 |
2 | USA | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 5 | +7 | 15 |
3 | Mexico | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 3 | +8 | 14 |
4 | Panama | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 6 | +5 | 14 |
5 | Costa Rica | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 9 |
6 | Jamaica | 7 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 10 | -4 | 7 |
7 | El Salvador | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 8 | -4 | 6 |
8 | Honduras | 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 15 | -10 | 3 |
Canada and the USA are currently tied on points atop the standings while Mexico sits third. Honduras is struggling in last place but still has an outside chance to climb into the top four and make the World Cup if they can turn things around in the remaining games.
Details on the Upcoming Mexico vs Honduras Match
Mexico is currently third in the standings and is in a good position to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. However, they will be looking to pick up maximum points at home against Honduras. Honduras has really struggled so far and needs points urgently if they want to maintain any chance at World Cup qualification.
The match will take place on Sunday, October 10, 2021 with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM Central Time. The game will be played at the iconic Estadio Azteca stadium in Mexico City. The stadium can hold over 87,000 fervent Mexican fans and the atmosphere is sure to be intense as Mexico looks to defend their home turf.
Estadio Azteca Stadium
The Estadio Azteca is one of the most famous soccer stadiums in the world. It opened in 1966 and has hosted two World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986. It is the home stadium of the Liga MX club América as well as the Mexican national team.
With an official capacity of 87,523, it is the largest stadium in Mexico. The stadium sits at an elevation of 7,200 feet above sea level which can affect visiting teams not accustomed to the altitude. The passionate Mexican fans create an intimidating atmosphere for road teams.
Some key facts and stats on the Estadio Azteca:
- Opened: May 29, 1966
- Seating capacity: 87,523
- Pitch size: 105m x 68m
- Record attendance: 119,853 (1968 Mexico vs Brazil)
- Hosted 1970 and 1986 World Cup Finals
- Hosted matches at 1970, 1986, 2026 World Cups
- Home of Liga MX club América and Mexico national team
The stadium recently underwent renovations in 2016 to upgrade facilities and reduce seating capacity. Even with a reduced capacity, it still remains one of the largest stadiums in the world and the biggest in Mexico.
Prediction
Given their current form and record, Mexico should be considered heavy favorites at home against Honduras. However, Honduras will be desperate for points and could come out organized defensively and look to counter attack and steal a draw or even pull off an upset victory.
Mexico certainly has more overall talent and quality, and the home crowd support should energize their performance. The key will be converting their scoring chances. A 2-0 or 3-1 win for Mexico seems like the most probable result.
Conclusion
In summary, the crucial CONCACAF World Cup qualifying match between Mexico and Honduras will take place on Sunday, October 10, 2021. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM Central Time and the venue will be Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Mexico sits third in the table while Honduras is last. However, Honduras will aim for at least a point from this match. Mexico is expected to use their talent and home field advantage to secure a comfortable victory. But Honduras could pull off an upset if Mexico has an off day.
Estadio Azteca is one of the most iconic stadiums in the sport. With 87,523 seats and the fans cheering loudly, it will be an intense atmosphere. The stadium’s history and altitude also give Mexico an extra edge. But Honduras has proven a tough opponent for Mexico historically in World Cup qualifying. An exciting and hotly contested match should be anticipated.