As the CONCACAF final round came to a close on TUE 10 OCT 2017, three teams competed for one and one half places – but none of the three were playing one another.

• Trinidad-Tobago 02-01 United States: An own goal, along with a powerful shot from distance by Alvin JONES, put the home side ahead. Christian PULISIC drew the US within one just after the interval, but they could find no further goals in the humid conditions of Couva. The US miss the Men’s World Cup for the first time since 1986.
• Honduras 03-02 Mexico: Trailing 2-1 at halftime to already qualified Mexico, the Catrachos turned things around with an own goal followed by a strike by Romell QUIOTO. The result earns Honduras a place in the CONCACAF/​AFC playoff.
• Panama 02-01 Costa Rica: Johan VENEGAS put the Ticos in front in the first half, but the moment of controversy was still to come. In the 52nd minute, a corner for Panama deflected off Gabriel TORRES, struck the post, and was cleared off the line by defender Ronald MATARRITA. Referee Walter LÓPEZ, however, ruled that the ball had crossed the line, despite replays clearly showing otherwise. Román TORRES would add a second in the 87th minute, touching off pandemonium in Panama City and sending the Cañaleros to their first ever Men’s World Cup appearance.
• Qualified: Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama
• CONCACAF/​AFC playoff: Honduras v Australia
• Eliminated: Trinidad-Tobago, United States