2022 World Cup: Canada ends 36-year absence, countries that have qualified and those in contention
Canada will play at the World Cup for the first time since 1986 in Mexico, where it lost all three of its games and failed to score a goal
Canada qualified for the World Cup for just the second time on Sunday, beating Jamaica 4-0 to book its ticket to Qatar and end 36 years of failure and heartache.
After failing to clinch a spot on Thursday, with a 1-0 away loss to Costa Rica, Canada returned home with renewed purpose and a chance to complete the job in front of a frenzied, flag-waving and a sold-out crowd of nearly 30,000 at BMO Field.
There would be no blown second opportunity as Cyle Larin and Tajon Buchanan netted in the first half and Junior Hoilett added another after the break, with Adrian Mariappa's own-goal rounding out the scoring.
Canada will play at the World Cup for the first time since 1986 in Mexico, where it lost all three of its games and failed to score a goal.
Meanwhile, World Cup qualifying has entered its final stretch, with 20 of the 32 finalists now known.
But who could take the 12 places that remain? We take a closer look. The final three places will be decided by playoffs. Two of the finals will be held on Tuesday. The winners will qualify for the World Cup.
Playoff finals:
Poland vs. Sweden
Portugal vs. North Macedonia
The outstanding playoff path was postponed due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It is scheduled to take place in June.
Playoff Path A semifinal:
Scotland vs. Ukraine
The winners of the semifinal will be away to Wales in the final for a place at the World Cup.
Portugal will look to seal their place with victory against North Macedonia. Getty
South America
Qualified (4/4):
Brazil
Argentina
Ecuador
Uruguay
Still in contention:
Peru
Colombia
Chile
The four automatic places have all been confirmed in South America, leaving just the intercontinental playoff place to play for. The final round of games takes place on Tuesday, with the team that finishes fifth in the group going forward to take on the winners of the Asian playoff path for a place at the World Cup.
CONCACAF
Qualified (1/3):
Canada
Still in contention:
United States
Mexico
Costa Rica
Panama
How United States and Mexico can qualify
Bonagura: Will United States have enough to beat Panama
There is one round of qualifiers to play, on Wednesday. The top three qualify automatically, Canada have already secured one of those slots, with the fourth-placed team facing the winners of the Oceania region to make the World Cup.
Africa
The five places in Africa are decided by two-legged playoffs, with the second legs being held on Tuesday. The first-leg scores of the five ties are as follows, with the winners advancing to the World Cup.
Cameroon 0-1 Algeria
DR Congo 1-1 Morocco
Egypt 1-0 Senegal
Ghana 0-0 Nigeria
Mali 0-1 Tunisia
Asia
Qualified (5/5):
Qatar (as hosts)
IR Iran
South Korea
Saudi Arabia
Japan
Still in contention:
Australia
United Arab Emirates
Iraq
Lebanon
Two teams will meet in the confederation playoff final. Australia have secured their place, with the other spot still up for grabs on Tuesday. UAE will take it if they win at home to South Korea. If they fail to win, Iraq are best placed to overtake them by beating Syria. The winners will play a team from South America for a place at the World Cup.
Oceania
Solomon Islands play New Zealand on Wednesday in the final of the Oceania region. The winners will take on a team from CONCACAF for a place at the World Cup finals.
