The United States Men's National Team failed to qualify the 2018 World Cup by virtue of finishing fifth in CONCACAF qualifying. This is the first time since 1986 that USA has failed to reach the World Cup.
Per 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification process, the top three teams from CONCACAF (North America, Central America, Caribbean) automatically qualified for the World Cup. The fourth-place finisher was eligible to qualify via a playoff series against a team from Asia.
CONCACAF qualifying went down to the final day, with the US only needing a draw at Trinidad & Tobago to finish in the top three. With a trip to the World Cup on the line, the United States lost 2-1. That same night, Panama and Honduras jumped ahead of the USA in the table after they were able to beat Costa Rica and Mexico, respectively.
You can see how the final round of qualifying, known as the Hex, finished up in the table below.
PTS |
W |
L |
D |
GF |
GA |
GD |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
<a href="/meta/club/mexico">Mexico</a> |
21 |
6 |
0 |
3 |
16 |
7 |
+9 |
Costa Rica |
16 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
14 |
8 |
+6 |
Panama |
13 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
9 |
10 |
-1 |
Honduras |
13 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
13 |
19 |
-6 |
<a href="/meta/club/united-states">United States</a> |
12 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
17 |
13 |
+4 |
Trinidad & Tobago |
6 |
2 |
8 |
0 |
7 |
19 |
-12 |
Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama were the automatic qualifiers from the region, while Honduras would go on to lose to Australia in a playoff.
