Football: United States qualify for France but Jamaica must wait

The United States qualified for next year's World Cup on Sunday, Jamaica were left on the brink of clinching a place, while Costa Rica were eliminated despite a heroic draw in Mexico.

The States overcame Canada 3-0 in Burnaby, Vancouver, a result which, combined with El Salvador's failure to beat Jamaica in San Salvador, was enough to earn them a place at their third successive World Cup finals.

Jamaica shrugged off the presence of a rowdy crowd in front of their hotel on the eve of the game to hold out for a 2-2 draw away to El Salvador. They now need one point at home to Mexico on Sunday to ensure their World Cup debut. Jamaica, who would have qualified on Sunday with a win, were leading 2-1 with two minutes left but had to delay their celebrations when Waldir Guerra equalised for El Salvador.

Costa Rica came from 3-1 down to snatch a 3-3 draw away to Mexico, but they cannot finish in the top three in the final round of Concacaf qualifiers. Mexico, who qualified last week, lead the group with 17 points, followed by the States with 14, Jamaica (13) and El Salvador (10).

Roy Wegerle, the former Queen's Park Rangers forward, scored two of the States' goals in Canada, while players from Derby County were on the scoresheet in both San Salvador and Mexico City. Deon Burton headed Jamaica's first goal; Paulo Cesar Wanchope hit Costa Rica's late equaliser.