Canada qualify for first World Cup in 36 years as Pulisic hat-trick puts USA on the cusp

A 4-0 win over Jamaica ensures Canada top Concacaf qualifying, while United States and Mexico require draws from final games to also reach Qatar

Cyle Larin celebrates with Richie Laryea and Junior Hoilett after scoring Canada's opening goal against Jamiaca in the 2022 World Cup Qualifying match at BMO Field on March 27, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Getty

Canada forward Jonathan David controls the ball against Adrian Mariappa of Jamaica. AFP

Canada's Tajon Buchanan is fouled by Javain Brown of Jamaica. AFP

Junior Hoilett celebrates after scoring Canada's third goal against Jamaica. Getty

Canada celebrate after beating Jamaica to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. AFP

Canada fans celebrate after the team beat Jamaica to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Getty

Canada's Alistair Johnston celebrates after the final whistle following the 2022 World Cup Qualifying victory over Jamaica. AFP

Canada's Tajon Buchanan battles for the ball with Jamaica goalkeeper Jason Blake. Getty

Canada players celebrate with Junior Hoilett after he scored the third goal against Jamaica. AFP

Canada players celebrate after the final whistle having sealed qualification for the 2022 World Cup. AFP

Canada fans celebrate in the stands after the team beat Jamaica to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. AFP

Canada players celebrate after qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. Reuters

Canada qualified for their first World Cup in 36 years on Sunday after beating Jamaica 4-0 at BMO Field in Toronto to book their ticket to Qatar, while the United States and Mexico will have to wait to learn their fates.

Besiktas forward Cyle Larin opened the scoring for Canada, before Club Brugge winger Tajon Buchanan doubled their lead just before half time. Reading winger Junior Hoilett then made it 3-0 eight minutes before full time, with Jamaica's Adrian Mariappa scoring an own goal in injury time to complete an emphatic victory for Canada.

While Canada celebrated, Mexico and the United States are yet to confirm their World Cup places despite picking up wins along with Costa Rica, who also kept their Qatar hopes alive.

Chelsea forward Christian Pulisic scored a hat-trick as the US romped to a 5-1 home win over Panama while Mexico needed a 70th minute goal from Edson Alvarez to win 1-0 against winless Honduras.

The victory for Canada puts the leaders on 28 points in the Concacaf qualifying group, three points ahead of the United States and Mexico, with Costa Rica, who beat El Salvador 2-1, a further three points back.

The top three teams earn automatic places in November's World Cup with the fourth-place finisher facing an Oceania team in an intercontinental playoff for another berth.

Mexico will host El Salvador on Wednesday, the United States travel to San Jose to take on Costa Rica, and Canada wrap up their campaign against Panama. Both Mexico and the United States require only a draw to seal an automatic berth.

After failing to clinch a finals spot with a 1-0 away loss to Costa Rica on Thursday, Canada returned home with renewed purpose and a chance to complete the job in front of a frenzied, red-clad, flag-waving, sold-out crowd of nearly 30,000 at BMO Field.

"I'm just so pleased we didn't win in Costa Rica," said Canada manager John Herdman. "This is how it was meant to be, I know why the football gods wouldn't let us score, it was for tonight.

"We just qualified for the World Cup, this is a legit football country."

Canada will play at the World Cup for the first time since 1986 in Mexico, where they lost all three games and failed to score a goal.

"I think this country never believed in us because we've given them nothing to believe in," said Herdman. "They believe now. This is the time for everyone to get behind football and unite because we can be a powerhouse."

It was a warm welcome home on a biting cold afternoon, making it the classic Canadian stage to take on a Jamaican side anchored near the bottom of the eight-team group in seventh, with one win and no hope of getting to Qatar.

There was a time during their 36-year quest to return to a World Cup finals that playing at home was no different than away for Canada, with as many fans supporting the visitors as the home side.

But there were no split allegiances on Sunday in a lopsided contest Canada dominated from start to finish.