2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)

The 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification, ran from 2000 to 2001 in order to determine the three 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. Guyana withdrew before playing, leaving 34 nations in the race. Mexico, USA, Jamaica and Costa Rica, the four highest-ranked teams according to FIFA, received byes and advanced to the semi-finals, while Canada advanced directly to the "play-offs" between Caribbean and Central teams. The remaining teams were divided into two zones, based on geographical locations.

Format

Caribbean Zone: The 24 teams were divided into groups of eight teams each. The teams played in a three-round knockout tournament. The winners would advance to the semi-finals, while the runners-up would advance to the play-offs. Due to Guyana not playing, Antigua & Barbuda joined the second round directly.
Central American Zone: The six teams were divided into two groups of three teams. The teams played against each other. The winners of the group would advance to the semi-finals, while the runners-up would advance to the play-offs.
In the play-offs, Canada and the five concerned 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 three winners would advance to the semi-finals.

In the semi-finals round, 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. This year there is no play-off against another continent.

Caribbean Zone

Group 1

Group 2

In the first round, Guyana were suspended by FIFA, so Antigua and Barbuda obtained a bye to the second round.^{[citation needed]}

Group 3

Central American Zone

Group A

Source: ^[1]

Group B

Source: ^[1]

Caribbean/Central American play-offs

Semifinal round

Group 1

Source: ^[1]

Group 2

Source: ^[1]

Group 3

Source: ^[1]
Notes:

^ a b As Costa Rica and Guatemala finished level on points, goal differential, goals scored and head-to-head record, a play-off on neutral ground was played to determine second place. Costa Rica won the play-off 5–2 to finish second.