Moment of truth for Mexico's soccer team, and coach

"I have not at any moment had doubts that Mexico would be at the World Cup in South Africa in 2010."

So said Sven-Goran Eriksson a week ago, and now comes the moment of truth for Mexico's Swedish-born coach.

If his team loses to Honduras in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on Wednesday and Jamaica defeats Canada by a large enough margin in Kingston, Mexico will not be going to the World Cup and Eriksson very likely would be on the first flight back to Stockholm.

The idea is preposterous to Mexico's fans, but their nerves are on edge all the same. The last time Mexico failed to reach the World Cup was in 1990, when FIFA banned it from taking part in Italia '90 because of its use of ineligible players in qualifying for a FIFA youth tournament.

"It's a life-or-death match because it's not possible to think of Mexico out of the World Cup," Eriksson said last week in Mexico City where he named a full-strength squad, which includes 10 European-based stars. The only absent player will be Tottenham Hotspur forward Giovani dos Santos, who has an ankle injury.

Here's what the situation looks like, with three teams fighting for two spots: Mexico has 10 points and a tie would be enough to see it through to the final round of qualifying. Honduras has nine points. Jamaica has seven.

Honduras, whose only World Cup appearance was in 1982, can advance with a victory, and Eriksson is sure to be aware that former Mexico coach Enrique Meza lost his job when Mexico was beaten, 3-1, in a qualifier in San Pedro Sula in 2001.

"We have to play an intelligent game," said midfielder Pavel Pardo, Mexico's captain. "Defensive organization will be important, but we also have to attack. We have to be convinced that we can win."

Jamaica is hoping for a Mexico victory, which would toss goal differential out the window and allow the Reggae Boyz to advance at Honduras' expense with a home win over Canada, which already has been eliminated.

Costa Rica, El Salvador and the U.S., which plays Guatemala in Denver on Wednesday, have secured a place in next year's final six. Trinidad and Tobago can make certain of its spot with a win or a tie at home against Cuba.

Bob Bradley, the U.S. national soccer coach, this week bolstered the American squad by adding goalkeeper Brad Guzan, midfielder Freddy Adu and forward Jozy Altidore to his roster. The only other European-based players on his squad are goalkeeper Troy Perkins and defender Clarence Goodson, who both play in Norway.