Draw announced for U-20 World Cup

(CONCACAF): The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) announced the results of the draw for the tournament that will determine the four regional representatives for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.  The first round will see host and defending champion Mexico play El Salvador and Curacao in Group D at the finals of the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship. The draw for the competition, which will be played from February 18 – March 3 in Puebla, was held at the Casa Puebla and conducted by CONCACAF General Secretary Enrique Sanz.

In Group A, the United States will face two-time winner Costa Rica and Haiti.  The U.S. will be aiming for its 13th appearance at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Group B includes Canada, Nicaragua and Cuba.  The Canadians are looking for their first CONCACAF Under-20 title since 1996. Group C pits Jamaica, Panama and Puerto Rico against each other.  The Panamanians have qualified for four of the last five FIFA U-20 World Cups.

Mexico won the last CONCACAF Under-20 Championship in 2011, defeating Costa Rica 3-1 in the championship match played  at the Estadio Mateo Flores in Guatemala City.  The Mexicans have made 12 FIFA U-20 World Cup appearances and have won 11 CONCACAF crowns.

Group games will be played February 18 – 23 at the Estadio Cuauhtemoc and the Estadio Universitario in Puebla.  The first- and second-place teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals, scheduled for February 26 – 27.  The four teams that progress to the semifinals, to be played on March 1, will have earned qualification to the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.

The competition will conclude on March 3 with the third-place game and final.

FIRST ROUND
Group A: United States, Costa Rica, Haiti
Group B: Canada, Nicaragua, Cuba
Group C: Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico
Group D: Mexico, El Salvador, Curacao