CINCINNATI– For the U.S. Men’s National Team’s fourth home match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign, U.S. Soccer has selected Cincinnati, Ohio as the host of USA-Mexico, presented by Allstate.
On November 12, TQL Stadium will be the site for the first qualifier in Cincinnati. The match will be broadcast live on the ESPN and Univision family of networks.
“When you talk about great rivalries in our sport, USA-Mexico is one of the best,” U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Gregg Berhalter said. “We are fortunate to have so many great venue options in this country, and for this match Cincinnati ticks all the boxes.”
“This match is the culmination of years of planning and hard work,” said Jeff Berding, FC Cincinnati President. “We had a vision to build a stadium that was not only home to FC Cincinnati matches, but also a premier destination for world-class events. This is one of the biggest matches in North America, and we are proud to play host to all of the fans that will be in attendance.”
Due to the anticipated high demand, U.S. Soccer is using a weighted random draw for tickets.
AGAINST MEXICO
The most anticipated game in the region every four years, this is the sixth-consecutive time the state of Ohio has hosted the USA-Mexico qualifier. These meetings have produced some of the most significant moments in U.S. Soccer history in a rivalry that dates back to 1934.
While Mexico had historically dominated the series, competition between the teams has grown into a proper rivalry since 2000 during which time the U.S. has held the edge, amassing a record of 15-9-6 against its neighbors to the south. The most important meeting in the modern era came at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan in the Round of 16.
ONLY TWO IN NOVEMBER
The match against Mexico will be the first of two matches during the November, with the USMNT traveling to Jamaica for the second match on Nov. 16 against the Reggae Boyz.
Under the new qualifying format, a total of eight teams – increased from six in previous cycles -will compete in the Final Round, with the top three teams advancing to Qatar ’22. The fourth-place team will participate in an Intercontinental playoff for the last spot.
The 10 matches in the Final Round had typically been played during the course of 18 months. Due to schedule changes related to the global pandemic and the new format, each team will play14 matched in seven-month period.
Unlike previous World Cups, there will be no need for fans to fly around the country to matches. Qatar has built eight stadiums for the tournament, all within close proximity of the capital, Doha.
What: USA-Mexico Men’s National FIFA World Cup Qualifier
When: Friday, November 12, 2021
Where: TQL Stadium (1501 Central Pkwy, Cincinnati, OH)
Time: 9:00 p.m.
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About TQL Stadium:
Opened on May 1, 2021, TQL Stadium, FC Cincinnati’s home, is one of the most ambitious soccer-specific stadiums in not only North America but the world. Critically acclaimed global design firm, Populous, designed an innovative and forward-thinking stadium that is one of the largest soccer-specific facilities in Major League Soccer (MLS). The $250 million, privately funded stadium has a capacity of 26,000, with the closest seats within 15 feet of the field. The design includes 53 traditional suites and 4,500 premium seats throughout four premium club spaces. Additionally, the team’s famous supporters’ section, The Bailey, will grow to be more than 3,100 strong and loom over opponents at a 34-degree angle at the stadium’s north end. A 360-degree canopy roof covers every seat in the stadium, but still allows sufficient sun in to grow a natural grass field. The stadium has five team locker rooms.
