2002 FIFA World Cup Qualification (CONCACAF)

2002 FIFA World Cup Qualification (CONCACAF)

The 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification, CONCACAF Zone ran from March 2000 to November 2001 in order to determine the three CONCACAF representatives at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. For an overview of the qualification rounds, see 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification.

A total of 35 CONCACAF teams entered the competition. Mexico, USA, Jamaica and Costa Rica, the four highest-ranked teams according to FIFA, received byes and advanced to the semi-finals directly, while Canada advanced to the play-offs directly. The remaining 30 teams were divided into two zones, based on geographical locations, as follows:

• Caribbean Zone: The 24 teams were divided into three groups of eight teams each. The teams played in a three round knockout tournament, with matches on a home-and-away basis. The winners would advance to the semi-finals, while the runners-up would advance to the play-offs.
• Central American Zone: The six teams were divided into two groups of three teams each. The teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winners would advance to the semi-finals, while the runners-up would advance to the play-offs.

In the play-offs, the six teams were paired up to play knockout matches on a home-and-away basis. A team from North or Central America would play against a team from the Caribbean, and the winners would advance to the semi-finals.

In the semi-finals, the 12 teams were divided into three groups of four teams each. They played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winners and runners-up would advance to the final round.

In the final round, the six teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The top three teams would qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.