The U.S. Soccer Federation and the Columbus Crew announced Wednesday that the United States Men's National Team's 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against El Salvador will be held at Lower.com Field next year.
The game will take place in downtown Columbus on January 27 and will air on ESPN networks. Lower.com Field has a capacity for more than 20,000 supporters. Kickoff time will be announced in the near future.
U.S. Soccer will utilize a weighted random draw for tickets to the match. Information on the ticket allocation process is available by clicking here.
“We are excited to once again welcome the U.S. Men’s National Team back to Columbus for a crucial World Cup Qualifying match,” said Columbus Crew President & General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “As demonstrated this past October, Columbus has time and time again, proven the ability to create an electric atmosphere, providing the United States with a significant home-field advantage. We’re grateful for the opportunity to host U.S. Soccer and again showcase the world-class facilities in Columbus.”
Columbus has hosted 11 World Cup Qualifiers since 2000, with the USA posting an 8-1-2 record during that span.
The United States has an all-time record of 9-1-3 across all competitions when playing in Columbus, dating back to a 2002 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Costa Rica (October 11, 2000). 11 of those 13 contests have been FIFA World Cup qualification matches, including five consecutive matches against Mexico in the Hexagonal Round, with the U.S. winning the first four by a 2-0, “Dos a Cero,” scoreline.
The match against El Salvador is set to be the second USMNT qualifying match at Lower.com Field in just three months. Earlier this year, on October 13, the U.S. defeated Costa Rica 2-1.
The contest is set to be the 26th encounter between the U.S. and El Salvador. The United States has an all-time record of 18-1-6 in those matches, including an undefeated record of 5-0-4 in World Cup Qualifiers.
"The two sides most recently faced each other earlier this year in a 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier, playing to a 0-0 draw at Estadio Cuscatlan (September 21) in San Salvador, El Salvador. The U.S. last hosted El Salvador in a friendly last year, defeating Los Cuscatlecos 6-0 at DRV PNK Stadium (December 9)," the U.S. Soccer Federation said in a release.
Also, Columbus has welcomed the U.S. Women's National team, most recently hosting the first round of the 2018 SheBelieves Cup and an international friendly against Sweden (November 7, 2019) at Historic Crew Stadium.
Under the new qualifying format, a total of eight teams – increased from six in previous cycles – will compete in the Final Round, with the top three teams advancing to Qatar 2022. The fourth-place team will participate in an Intercontinental playoff for the last spot.
The Crew begins the 2022 MLS season at home against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on February 26 at 3:30 p.m. The 2022 season will mark the Crew’s 27th in MLS and the first full season at Lower.com Field, located in Astor Park.