Effects of World Cup expansion to 64 teams
Jon Arnold and Seth Vertelney break down the effects of a 64 team expansion should it happen for the 2030 World Cup.
Sports Seriously
Mexico’s men’s soccer team will return to the Olympics in 2028, booking a place in the Los Angeles Games with a 2-1 victory over Canada in the semifinal of the Concacaf U-20 Championship on Friday, Aug. 7 in Mexico City.
Since the 2028 host nation, the United States, arrived in the final of the U-20 tournament earlier Friday with a 2-0 win over Costa Rica, the Mexico-Canada semifinal put a direct berth to the Olympics on the line.
Canada, managed by senior national team coach Jesse Marsch, started sensationally with CF Montreal prospect Owen Graham-Roache setting himself up for a volleyed shot from outside the box to give Canada the lead in the sixth minute.
But the hosts responded with a tremendous goal of their own just after the start of the second half, with defender Cristobal Alfaro sizing up a shot from the top of the area and sending home the equalizer just three minutes after coming on.
The game turned in the 67th minute, when Canada midfielder Liam Mackenzie saw his second yellow card of the match while trying to pull off a turn.
The referee ruled he put his hand to the face of the defender before making the move, but the player was shocked by the decision and drew the VAR signal multiple times. There was no intervention, and Canada went down a man.
Mexico was able to make its advantage count in the 78th minute, with Chivas winger Hugo Camberos stepping up and converting a penalty to give Mexico a lead it wouldn’t relenquish.
Men’s soccer at the Olympic Games is an Under-23 tournament, with countries allowed to name three overage players to suit up for their country.
It is a tournament in which Mexico has enjoyed considerable success, winning the gold medal in 2012 and taking bronze in the 2020 Tokyo Games, their last participation.
Women’s soccer does not have the same age restrictions, meaning full senior teams participate. Three Concacaf teams will qualify for that tournament in addition to the host U.S., with the Concacaf W Championship taking place in November and December of this year serving as the qualification tournament.
Mexico’s women’s team made its only appearance at the 2004 Olympics in Greece.
Mexico and the U.S. close out the U-20 tournament with the championship game on Sunday, Aug. 9.