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In the 2017 CONCACAF Men’s U-20 Championship, both El Salvador and Panama won their groups in the Group Stage and both finished bottom of their respective groups in the Qualification Stage.
Disappointing results for both squads, but perhaps particularly for Panama: Los Canaleros were the only side to beat the USA at the 2017 U-20 Championship. The Americans went on to win the regional title and to the 2017 Men’s U-20 World Cup; Panama went home.
The good news for both Panama and El Salvador is one of them is definitely going to qualify for the 2019 U-20 World Cup. The 2018 CONCACAF Men’s U-20 Championship will send four teams to the next U-20 World Cup, and those four will come from the six teams remaining in the tournament.
The six group winners from the Group Stage of this championship have been divided into two groups of three for the Qualification Stage. Two from each group qualify for the World Cup. At least one of those two teams will be either Panama or El Salvador, since they are two of the three teams in Group H of the Qualification Stage.
The less good news for both Panama and El Salvador is that there is probably only room for one of them in CONCACAF’s delegation to the 2019 U-20 World Cup. They are sharing their Qualification Stage group with Mexico, and Mexico is very much expected to win this group.
Doesn’t have to be that way, course. Both these teams will do their best to beat El Tri when the time comes. But if one of them can win this game, they’ll be feeling like they’re on their way to the U-20 World Cup already.
Per livesoccertv.com, here’s where to find the game if watching from the USA: