| top_scorer = Carlos Pavón(15 goals) | prevseason = 1998 | nextseason = 2006
The 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification, ran from 2000 to 2001 in order to determine the three representatives at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. For an overview of the qualification rounds, see 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification.
A total of 35 CONCACAF teams entered the competition. Guyana were suspended by FIFA before playing, leaving 34 nations in the race. Mexico, USA, Jamaica and Costa Rica, the four highest-ranked teams according to FIFA, received byes and advanced to the semi-finals, while Canada advanced directly to the "play-offs" between Caribbean and Central teams. The remaining teams were divided into two zones, based on geographical locations.
Format Caribbean Zone: The 24 teams were divided into groups of eight teams each. The teams played in a three-round knockout tournament. The winners would advance to the semi-finals, while the runners-up would advance to the play-offs. Due to Guyana not playing, Antigua & Barbuda joined the second round directly. Central American Zone: The six teams were divided into two groups of three teams. The teams played against each other. The winners of the group would advance to the semi-finals, while the runners-up would advance to the play-offs. In the play-offs, Canada and the five concerned teams were paired up to play knockout matches on a home-and-away basis. A team from North or Central America would play against a team from the Caribbean, and the three winners would advance to the semi-finals.
In the semi-finals round, the 12 teams were divided into three groups of four teams each. They played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winners and runners-up would advance to the final round.
In the final round, the six teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The top three teams would qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. This year there is no play-off against another continent.
Caribbean Zone
Group 1
Group 2 In the first round, Guyana were suspended by FIFA, so Antigua and Barbuda obtained a bye to the second round.
Group 3
Central American Zone
Group A
Group B
Caribbean/Central American play-offs
Semifinal round
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Final round
Qualified teams The following three teams from CONCACAF qualified for the final tournament. Team Qualified as Qualified onPrevious appearances in FIFA World Cup1 1 (1990) 11 (1930, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1978, 1986, 1994, 1998) 6 (1930, 1934, 1950, 1990, 1994, 1998) 1 Bold indicates champions for that year. Italic indicates hosts for that year.
Top goalscorers
Below are full goalscorer lists for each round:
Caribbean Zone Central American Zone Play-offs Semi-finals Final round
See also Aztecazo
References
External links FIFA official page RSSSF - 2002 World Cup Qualification Allworldcup
fr:Tours préliminaires à la Coupe du monde de football 2002#Amérique du Nord, centrale et Caraïbes lt:XVII pasaulio futbolo čempionato atranka#Šiaurės Amerika