Guyana withdrew 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.

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.