MIAMI, Florida – The third edition of the Concacaf Nations League Finals begins on Thursday with the United States, Jamaica, Mexico and Panama all targeting the crown.
Also, in action on Saturday will be Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Honduras and Costa Rica in the Concacaf Nations League Play-Ins.
Here is everything you need to know about this week’s action.
When
The 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League Finals begin on Thursday with the Concacaf Nations League Semifinals. The United States will meet Jamaica in the first match, followed by Mexico taking on Panama in the second semifinal.
On Sunday, the 2023-24 CNL Finals will conclude first with the Third-Place Match between the two semifinal losing teams, followed by the winners of each semifinal in the Final.
The two CNL Play-In Matches will be played on Saturday.
Where
The Semifinals, Third-Place Match and Final of the CNL Finals will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The Play-In matches will be played at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Schedule (all times local)
Thursday: Semifinal - United States vs. Jamaica, 6:00 PM
Thursday: Semifinal - Mexico vs. Panama, 9:15 PM
Saturday: Play-In – Canada vs. Trinidad and Tobago, 3:00 PM
Saturday: Play-In – Honduras vs. Costa Rica, 6:15 PM
Sunday: Third-Place Match – Loser Semifinal 1 vs. Loser Semifinal 2, 5:00 PM
Sunday: Final – Winner Semifinal 1 vs. Winner Semifinal 2, 8:15 PM
Qualification for CONMEBOL Copa America 2024
The two winners of the CNL Play-In Matches will qualify for the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024.
Path to CNL Finals
United States
The U.S. started their path to the CNL Finals in the quarterfinal stage against Trinidad and Tobago. The reigning champions scored three goals in the final 10 minutes to earn a 3-0 win at home in the first leg. Despite a 2-1 defeat to the Soca Warriors in the second leg in Trinidad and Tobago, the U.S. still advanced with a 4-2 aggregate victory.
Jamaica
Jamaica started their journey in the Group Stage in League A. Drawn into Group B, the Reggae Boyz finished atop the group with a 3W-1D-0L record. Jamaica kicked off with a 1-0 home win versus Honduras, followed by a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Haiti, a 4-1 victory at Grenada and a 3-2 triumph over Haiti in the finale.
Jamaica advanced to the quarterfinals where they faced Canada. After suffering a 2-1 defeat at home in the first leg, Jamaica scored three second half goals to defeat Canada 3-2 in Toronto to advance via the away goal tiebreaker after a 4-4 draw on aggregate.
Mexico
Mexico started in the quarterfinal stage against a very tough Honduras side. El Tricolor suffered a 2-0 defeat in the first leg in Honduras, setting the stage for a dramatic second leg in Mexico. Mexico were winning 1-0 in the second leg deep into second half stoppage time, but were still behind a goal on aggregate. However, in the 90’+11, Edson Alvarez scored to force extra time and ultimately penalty kicks, during which Mexico emerged with a 4-2 penalty shootout win to punch their CNL Finals ticket.
Panama
Panama began in the Group Stage in League A and were drawn into Group A, in which they finished in First-Place with a 3W-1D-0L record. Panama defeated Martinique 3-0 at home prior to a 1-1 draw at Guatemala, a 2-1 victory at Curacao and a 3-0 home victory against Guatemala.
Panama advanced to the quarterfinals where they met fellow Central American side Costa Rica. Panama were commanding from the beginning, winning the first leg in Costa Rica 3-0, followed by a 3-1 home win in the second leg to advance to the CNL Finals.
