Austin, TEXAS (July 22, 2021) – U.S. Soccer, Austin FC, and the City of Austin announced today that Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas will play host to the U.S. Men’s National Team’s World Cup Qualifying match on Thursday, October 7, 2021, againstJamaica. The October 7 event will be the first time the U.S. Men’s National Team plays a World Cup Qualifier in the state of Texas.
The historic match will be the USMNT’s fourth match of the re-formatted final round of the CONCACAF qualification cycle featuring eight (8) national teams in the final round that each play 14 matches – seven (7) at home, seven (7) away. The top three (3) finishers in the “Octagonal” will automatically qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and the fourth-place finisher will be entered into an inter-region playoff.
“What’s been happening in Austin the last couple years is extraordinary,” USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter said. “It’s amazing the way the city has embraced the sport, the world-class facilities they have developed, and most importantly for us the atmosphere the fans create in the stadium. That’s precisely the type of environment we need for our home World Cup Qualifiers, and I know it’s something our players value and appreciate.”
Austin’s privately financed, tech-forward Q2 Stadium provides a world-class setting for the occasion. Q2 Stadium is the home venue for Austin FC, Austin’s first major league team which began play in Major League Soccer in 2021. In its inaugural year, Q2 Stadium already has drawn praise for its raucous, festive environment and world-class amenities including a distinct 360° canopy and open stadium design. The four-time FIFA World Cup Champion U.S. Women’s National Team defeated Nigeria, 2-0, on June 16 in the inaugural match at Q2 Stadium.
“For Austin to be the first place in Texas to host the U.S. Men's National Team for a World Cup Qualifier is a great achievement for our city, for Austin FC and for Q2 Stadium,” said Austin FC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna, a former USMNT captain and four-time selection to its FIFA World Cup roster. “This decision shows U.S. Soccer’s belief that the energy in our stadium and the quality of our facilities will provide an advantage for them come October 7. It is another milestone for us.”
Due to the anticipated high demand, U.S. Soccer will once again be utilizing a weighted random draw for tickets. Information on the process is available here.
“This is a historic moment for soccer fans and our Austin community alike,” said Austin Mayor Steve Adler. “The FIFA World Cup is the world’s largest sporting event, bar none, and it's qualifying rounds garner a massive audience and make a lasting impression. We are grateful to U.S. Soccer for this opportunity to showcase to the world Austin’s passion for soccer.”
The USMNT’s all-time record against Jamaica is 17-3-8, with its three (3) most recent encounters being a 4-1 U.S. win in a friendly match on March 25, 2021; a 3-1 U.S. win in a CONCACAF Gold Cup Semifinal on July 3, 2019; and an 0-1 loss in a friendly match on June 5, 2019. The two (2) nations are scheduled to play on July 25 in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinal.
The Oct. 7 match will be televised on the ESPN and Univision family of networks, with start time to be announced at a later date.
Photo Credit: John Dorton / ISI Photos
