FIFA rankings are out. Canada is now back in 7th place in CONCACAF rankings, 15 points behind El Salvador. They aren't making the Hex....
And while the qualifying format for the World Cup is terrible, I actually think they have a better shot at making the World Cup through the non-Hex route than they do through the Hex route. In a group with Mexico, the US, Costa Rica, Honduras and Jamaica, Canada would finish at best 4th, and likely 5th or 6th.
Despite the progress made, Mexico still dominated Canada at the Gold Cup (albeit Canada made it more respectable than usual). The US dominated Canada a few weeks ago. And Canada has always fallen flat on their asses in Honduras...
For me, Panama and maybe Curacao or Haiti are the only other countries that could win the non-Hex route. Panama away in a two leg series would be the big question mark, but Canada has traditionally played better in Panama than they have in places like Honduras, and Panama has not looked as strong at home lately with their loss to Bermuda. I think Canada would also light up Curacao or Haiti at home, enough to cover any potential loss in an away leg.
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