MEXICO CITY (AP) — Eight countries will attempt Wednesday to take the first step toward the semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League, which has the added reward of a ticket to the 2024 Copa América, to be played in the United States.

The Americans, crowned at this year’s regional tournament, will face Trinidad and Tobago. While the Mexicans, another big favorite, will have a complicated series against Honduras.

In the other duels, Canada will face Jamaica and Costa Rica will face Panama.

The United States, which opens as a visitor on Thursday, will appear with 12 players who participated in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and with 15 of those who were capped in the Nations League for the second time alone in June this year.

“The goal is clear: we want to compete for our third Nations League title and for the right to play in the Copa América,” said coach Greg Berhalter. “We have a core group that we have used in the last two (FIFA) windows and we want to finish strong to compete in two important competitions next year.”

Next year’s Copa América will feature 10 CONMEBOL countries, including world champions Argentina, as well as six CONCACAF nations participating as guests.

Also on Thursday, Panama will seek to confirm the good feelings it left in the last edition where it reached the semi-finals and finished in fourth position against a Costa Rica which is rising in a series which promises to be balanced.

On Friday, Mexico will arrive at the duel against the Hondurans with renewed vigor after strong performances in the friendlies against Germany and Ghana in the last FIFA date.

The team is very different from the one that lost in the Nations League final to the United States, although the player base is the same, but now led by Jaime Lozano.

Lozano took over the team less than a week after a semifinal loss to the Americans and although he had a few days to work, he led the team to the Gold Cup title.

Facing the Hondurans, the Mexicans will try to confirm the promotion displayed with their new coach.

“The Mexican team is intense and our task will be to try to play a match with these characteristics,” said Catrachos coach Reinaldo Rueda. “Their team is made up of players who play in the major leagues of the world and are having a good time.”

Meanwhile, tournament runners-up Canada also start as favorites for their duel against Jamaica which begins on Friday.

“I’m excited about the upcoming games and where they can take the team,” said Canadiens interim coach Mauro Biello. “The mission is to reach the final and qualify for the Copa América. “They will be difficult matches, but we choose experienced players in matches like this.”

Biello took over last August when John Herdman, who qualified the Canadians for their first World Cup in 36 years, left the team to coach MLS’s Toronto FC.