If you missed the last update, we are going to do continental championships before the finals of the Draft World Cup. We're going to start with the North American Championship - styled on the Gold Cup of course - and today we're going to cover all four groups.
We have 16 qualifiers, who are split into four groups, with the top two from each progressing (like the Euros used to be in the good ol' days), and this is the draw:
We have 16 qualifiers, who are split into four groups, with the top two from each progressing (like the Euros used to be in the good ol' days), and this is the draw:
So, let's see who progresses...
Group A (USA, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua)
The USA are part of North America's big three with Mexico and Canada, and so progression will be expected here. The other three are much closer together in the rankings.
Matchday 1
USA comfortably beat Nicaragua with three goals for Martínezes - two for Josef and one for Gonzalo - 3-1 the final score. El Salvador got off to the perfect start in their crucial game against Costa Rica as Cristian Olivera put them ahead, but a wonderful long-range shot from Diego Estrada levelled matters. Costa Rica completed the turnaround when Christián Bolanos converted following a free kick, and a late red card for El Salvador's Clayvin Zúniga was an extra kick in the teeth as they lost 2-1.
Group A (USA, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua)
The USA are part of North America's big three with Mexico and Canada, and so progression will be expected here. The other three are much closer together in the rankings.
Matchday 1
USA comfortably beat Nicaragua with three goals for Martínezes - two for Josef and one for Gonzalo - 3-1 the final score. El Salvador got off to the perfect start in their crucial game against Costa Rica as Cristian Olivera put them ahead, but a wonderful long-range shot from Diego Estrada levelled matters. Costa Rica completed the turnaround when Christián Bolanos converted following a free kick, and a late red card for El Salvador's Clayvin Zúniga was an extra kick in the teeth as they lost 2-1.
Matchday 2
The two winners from the last games faced each other, and USA made it 2 wins from 2 as Martínez (Gonzalo) headed in the only goal of a game his side dominated. That would be enough for qualification if El Salvador failed to beat Nicaragua, however Carlos Monteagudo's volley earned El Salvador a 1-0 win, leaving all teams with their fates in the balance going into the final round of games.
Matchday 3
Nicaragua, somehow still in it, overcame Costa Rica 1-0 thanks to Marlon Barrios' long strike. This wasn't enough to overcome the goal difference deficit, so it came down to whether El Salvador could finish above Costa Rica; they required anything better than a two-goal defeat against USA. And they took the lead as Joaquín Vergés fired in a low shot! USA levelled as Martínez (Gonzalo) poked in Carlos Vela's cross, before Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored USA's first non-Martínez goal from the spot. In the second half USA cut loose, as Vela, Martínez (Gonzalo) and Ibrahimovic each notched for a 5-1 victory that sends USA and Costa Rica through!
The two winners from the last games faced each other, and USA made it 2 wins from 2 as Martínez (Gonzalo) headed in the only goal of a game his side dominated. That would be enough for qualification if El Salvador failed to beat Nicaragua, however Carlos Monteagudo's volley earned El Salvador a 1-0 win, leaving all teams with their fates in the balance going into the final round of games.
Matchday 3
Nicaragua, somehow still in it, overcame Costa Rica 1-0 thanks to Marlon Barrios' long strike. This wasn't enough to overcome the goal difference deficit, so it came down to whether El Salvador could finish above Costa Rica; they required anything better than a two-goal defeat against USA. And they took the lead as Joaquín Vergés fired in a low shot! USA levelled as Martínez (Gonzalo) poked in Carlos Vela's cross, before Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored USA's first non-Martínez goal from the spot. In the second half USA cut loose, as Vela, Martínez (Gonzalo) and Ibrahimovic each notched for a 5-1 victory that sends USA and Costa Rica through!
Group B (Honduras, Guatemala, Trinidad & Tobago, Curacao)
This is the only group with none of the big three in it, and as such it could be a close affair. For example, Trinidad & Tobago have made it to the DWC finals before, and yet are ranked 3rd here.
Matchday 1
Romero Regales' header looked to have put underdogs Curacao on course for an opening-day victory over Guatemala, but in the 92nd minute William Zapata's headed Guatemala level, and somehow they had time to find a winner 3 minutes later as Marco Pappa put away a penalty. Meanwhile, Georgie Welcome put Honduras ahead against Trinidad & Tobago. After that both sides had a penalty - Trinidad & Tobago's Jamille Boatswain missed his but Wilson Palacios scored his to double Honduras' lead, and they triumphed 2-0.
Matchday 2
Despite this miss, Boatswain stepped up as Trinidad & Tobago got a penalty against Curacao. He put it away, and added another to secure a 2-0 win and get his team back on track. This meant Honduras could qualify with a win, but two goals conceded from free kick crosses saw them slip to a defeat to Guatemala by the same scoreline.
Matchday 3
A long-range stunner from Kevon Goddard saw Trinidad & Tobago overcome Guatemala 1-0, however this result was good enough to confirm Guatemala's qualification. It came down to whether Honduras could beat Curacao. The sides traded goals from free kick crosses before Oscar Móvil's fearsome long shot put Honduras ahead, and from there they eased through with further goals from Odis Borjas and Welcome.
This is the only group with none of the big three in it, and as such it could be a close affair. For example, Trinidad & Tobago have made it to the DWC finals before, and yet are ranked 3rd here.
Matchday 1
Romero Regales' header looked to have put underdogs Curacao on course for an opening-day victory over Guatemala, but in the 92nd minute William Zapata's headed Guatemala level, and somehow they had time to find a winner 3 minutes later as Marco Pappa put away a penalty. Meanwhile, Georgie Welcome put Honduras ahead against Trinidad & Tobago. After that both sides had a penalty - Trinidad & Tobago's Jamille Boatswain missed his but Wilson Palacios scored his to double Honduras' lead, and they triumphed 2-0.
Matchday 2
Despite this miss, Boatswain stepped up as Trinidad & Tobago got a penalty against Curacao. He put it away, and added another to secure a 2-0 win and get his team back on track. This meant Honduras could qualify with a win, but two goals conceded from free kick crosses saw them slip to a defeat to Guatemala by the same scoreline.
Matchday 3
A long-range stunner from Kevon Goddard saw Trinidad & Tobago overcome Guatemala 1-0, however this result was good enough to confirm Guatemala's qualification. It came down to whether Honduras could beat Curacao. The sides traded goals from free kick crosses before Oscar Móvil's fearsome long shot put Honduras ahead, and from there they eased through with further goals from Odis Borjas and Welcome.
Group C (Mexico, Jamaica, Panama, Grenada)
Mexico would be expected to progress fairly easily, and Jamaica would expect to join them. But none of the other groups have run flawlessly to form, so let's see what happens...
Matchday 1
Jamaica started in style, running over Grenada 4-0. Mexico were even more dominant in their game against Panama, out-shooting their opponents 31-3, but could only win 2-0.
Matchday 2
Panama were a bit improved against Jamaica. Despite being heavily out-shot again, they held on for a 0-0 draw. It opened the door for Mexico to qualify if they could beat Grenada, and they did so with ease, 3-0 the final score.
Mexico would be expected to progress fairly easily, and Jamaica would expect to join them. But none of the other groups have run flawlessly to form, so let's see what happens...
Matchday 1
Jamaica started in style, running over Grenada 4-0. Mexico were even more dominant in their game against Panama, out-shooting their opponents 31-3, but could only win 2-0.
Matchday 2
Panama were a bit improved against Jamaica. Despite being heavily out-shot again, they held on for a 0-0 draw. It opened the door for Mexico to qualify if they could beat Grenada, and they did so with ease, 3-0 the final score.
Matchday 3
So, going into the final games, Panama need a 6-goal swing to overtake Jamaica in the table. They got a third of the way by beating poor Grenada 2-0, but therefore needed a big Mexican win. André-Pierre Gignac's header got Mexico ahead, and it was 3-0 by the 21st minute as Guido Pizarro and Gignac scored. This put Jamaica in real trouble with 70 minutes still remaining, but they were given a big boost early in the second half when Romario Campbell fired a spectacular shot in from the corner of the box, and Campbell added another to give Jamaica security. The game finished 3-2, Jamaica relatively happy to lose as it sees them through.
So, going into the final games, Panama need a 6-goal swing to overtake Jamaica in the table. They got a third of the way by beating poor Grenada 2-0, but therefore needed a big Mexican win. André-Pierre Gignac's header got Mexico ahead, and it was 3-0 by the 21st minute as Guido Pizarro and Gignac scored. This put Jamaica in real trouble with 70 minutes still remaining, but they were given a big boost early in the second half when Romario Campbell fired a spectacular shot in from the corner of the box, and Campbell added another to give Jamaica security. The game finished 3-2, Jamaica relatively happy to lose as it sees them through.
Group D (Canada, Suriname, Guadeloupe, Haiti)
Canada were the big three side which struggled the most in DWC qualifying, but they should be secure with a relatively tame draw here. Suriname are 2nd seeds after a remarkable qualifying run, and were the 2nd-best team in qualifying after USA.
Matchday 1
Jozy Altidore's header goal earned Canada a 1-1 draw against Suriname. Meanwhile Guadeloupe comfortably beat Haiti 2-0 with goals from Matthieu Bemba and Yoan Gouffran.
Matchday 2
Guadeloupe, remarkably, already had the chance to qualify as they faced Canada. However, they were 3-0 down in 20 minutes, and Canada held on for a stylish win. Meanwhile, Suriname's second 1-1 draw was less impressive as it was against Haiti. It left all teams with their fate in the balance going into the final round of games.
Canada were the big three side which struggled the most in DWC qualifying, but they should be secure with a relatively tame draw here. Suriname are 2nd seeds after a remarkable qualifying run, and were the 2nd-best team in qualifying after USA.
Matchday 1
Jozy Altidore's header goal earned Canada a 1-1 draw against Suriname. Meanwhile Guadeloupe comfortably beat Haiti 2-0 with goals from Matthieu Bemba and Yoan Gouffran.
Matchday 2
Guadeloupe, remarkably, already had the chance to qualify as they faced Canada. However, they were 3-0 down in 20 minutes, and Canada held on for a stylish win. Meanwhile, Suriname's second 1-1 draw was less impressive as it was against Haiti. It left all teams with their fate in the balance going into the final round of games.
Matchday 3
Canada needed just a point against Haiti to progress, and Altidore's third goal in three games saw them win 1-0 to top the group. This left the clash between Guadeloupe and Suriname to decide the final spot in the next round, with the latter needing a win. Jonathan Biabiany's goal from a free kick put Guadeloupe ahead, and further goals from Therry Racon and Gouffran saw them run out 3-0 winners and through in style.
Canada needed just a point against Haiti to progress, and Altidore's third goal in three games saw them win 1-0 to top the group. This left the clash between Guadeloupe and Suriname to decide the final spot in the next round, with the latter needing a win. Jonathan Biabiany's goal from a free kick put Guadeloupe ahead, and further goals from Therry Racon and Gouffran saw them run out 3-0 winners and through in style.
So, we have eight qualifiers for the next round. All the top seeds won their groups, giving them the best chance for the quarter-finals. Next time we're going to wrap up the entire tournament, covering the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final itself!