From massive gamble to ending 36 years of hurt - Canada's astonishing rise to qualify for Qatar 2022

Four years ago during CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, Canada failed to reach the final stage of qualifying. CONCACAF qualifying is traditionally broken up into different stages, with the bigger nations (think Mexico, USA and Costa Rica) joining in the final stage. Medium sized nations, such as Guatemala, El Salvador and Jamaica go in at the third round, out of five total.

Ad/> The final stage is historically known as the Hexagonal, or Hex. With the unique travel structures based in the region, those who know understand its complexities and difficulties. Whilst to most outsiders it’s normally just dismissed.

World Cup Qualification CONCACAFCanada qualify for World Cup for first time since 19865 HOURS AGO This year’s edition saw a re-vamp to eight teams. An Octagonal if you will. And it will almost certainly be topped by Canada.

To put that into perspective, four years ago Canada failed to reach the final stage. They finished third in their group (which is the format of the penultimate round of qualifying), behind Mexico and Honduras. It was a similar story in 2014, where they were behind Honduras yet again (a brutal 8-1 loss in the process), and this time Panama.

Same in 2010, where they actually finished bottom of their penultimate stage group, failing to win a single game in a group containing Mexico, Jamaica and yes, you guessed it, Honduras. 2006? Bottom. 2002? Third in the group.

You have to go all the way back to qualifying for France 1998 for the last time Canada reached the Hexagonal. And even then they finished bottom. Canada qualify for World Cup for first time since 1986 Barca and Real chase £50m Arsenal defender Tierney — Paper Round Man Utd players say things on international duty, episode 247 –