World Cup qualifiers

Join us for live U.S. versus Mexico World Cup qualifier updates, a high-stakes rivalry match being played Thursday night at Estadio Azteca.

Both countries, along with Canada, are expected to get automatic berths in the 2026 tournament since they’re hosting it, precluding a qualifying tournament. “I remember walking out in the tunnel and Kellyn Acosta was doubled over puking. U. S., Mexico soccer to play World Cup qualifier at Azteca, possibly for last time

Italy missed out on the World Cup finals again after losing 1-0 at home to a late goal from Aleksandar Trajkovski for North Macedonia, ...

But Fernando Santos’s side were pegged back by a Yilmaz goal in the 65th minute that put the Portuguese fans on the edge of their seats as Turkey started to threaten. Italy did not look to be in too much danger, but Trajkovski, who plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Fayha, wrote his name into North Macedonian football folklore with a shot that crept inside the post to stun the home fans. Ciro Immobile also wasted a glorious first-half chance for Italy when blazing over the bar from a good position.

North Macedonia stunned Italy and Gareth Bale struck twice for Wales, on a night when Portugal and Sweden also won through to the play-off finals.

Portugal survived a late scare to make it through to the Path C play-off final. Wales captain Gareth Bale scored two superb goals in Cardiff to send his side through to the Path A play-off final. That miss proved costly in the 110th minute, Sweden substitute Robin Quaison playing a one-two with Alexander Isak and calmly slotting in his 12th goal for his country.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains on track to compete at what would be his fifth World Cup after Portugal reached the UEFA World Cup playoff finals with a 3-1 win ...

Russia was banned from competing by FIFA and UEFA, advancing Poland to the final, where it will host Sweden. Meanwhile, Ukraine requested a postponement of its semifinal against Scotland, which was granted. Portugal added a third goal as Matheus Nunes scored late on. The winner of that match in June will head to Wales to play for a spot in the World Cup. Portugal reached the UEFA World Cup playoff final with a 3-1 win over Turkey, while North Macedonia shocked European champions Italy. The matchup on paper gives Ronaldo and Portugal an excellent chance to make it through in a fixture that will take place in the friendly confines of Porto. Cristiano Ronaldo remains on track to compete at what would be his fifth World Cup as Portugal get set to host North Macedonia in a single-elimination playoff with a ticket to Qatar on the line.

The three final World Cup qualifiers begin Thursday night when the U.S. men's national soccer team takes on Mexico. The Americans will know within a week ...

That said, the USMNT has managed to scratch out a point from each of its last two World Cup qualifiers in Mexico City. And Azteca hasn’t been quite so fearsome of late. The altitude, smog and raucous crowd make Azteca a tough place for anyone to play, and the USMNT has never won a World Cup qualifier there. The USMNT has Gio Reyna back for the first time since he injured his hamstring against El Salvador in September. Reyna will be on limited minutes throughout the window, but is a threat anytime he’s on the field. FIFA made Mexico play its last two qualifiers without fans as punishment for El Tri supporters’ persistent use of a homophobic slur. In fact, the Americans have just one win ever there, a friendly back in 2012. “We know it’s not going to be easy. “I think it’s a mindset now,” said Christian Pulisic, one of the few holdovers from the last World Cup cycle. Starting right back Sergiño Dest and Matt Turner, who has been battling Zack Steffen to be the No. 1 goalkeeper, are also out. “Our record here is horrendous,” Berhalter acknowledged. And the news isn’t all bad. Forward Brenden Aaronson, the only player to play in all 11 qualifiers, was a late scratch with a knee injury. And that’s what it’s going to take this window.”

These games will always be important when it comes to bragging rights, but it's also clear that there won't be another night quite like this.

That the U. S. will have to play without the injured quartet of Weston McKennie, Sergino Dest, Matt Turner and Brenden Aaronson makes it a massive task indeed. U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter even went so far as to say the U.S. team's record at the Azteca is "horrendous." "I'll probably not eat or drink after 11 a.m. tomorrow," added Stephanie Casiano, who works for a health care provider in San Antonio. "It's going to be like, all the nerves. Yet for El Tri, pessimism rules the day, in no small part due to the three-game losing streak it is currently suffering against the U. S. The day before the game, sports newspaper CANCHA put Christian Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi front and center (and over Mexico players) with a "They Have An Advantage On Us" caption. In short: Due to a variety of different complaints about how Mexican soccer is governed and run, fans have made online threats about the usage of the anti-gay chant in the game against the United States, which could then potentially hurt the Mexican Football Federation (FMF). Mexico is probably the more desperate side, and the U. S. team's home match against Panama on Sunday is more important in the overall picture of qualification. While such thoughts focus on the future, it is the present that concerns the U. S., and the stakes surrounding Thursday's encounter are high indeed. The neuroses of both teams are also in full bloom. Up to now, the World Cup qualifiers between the two neighbors have been the first fans have looked for when the fixtures are released. By the time the 2030 qualifiers beckon, the World Cup will have expanded to 48 teams, which could result in the number of automatic qualifying spots from CONCACAF being doubled to six. From afar, it looks like a hulking birthday cake was plopped down in the Santa Ursula neighborhood of Mexico City. As you get closer, the concrete supports look like the collective arms of Mexico supporters, pushing up on the venue's rim and out of the ground. In many ways, it feels like the end of an era.