Road to Qatar 2022: Catch All the Action as World Cup Qualifying Continues Today
Road to Qatar 2022: Catch All the Action as World Cup Qualifying Continues Today - Fierce Competition in European Groups
The race to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is heating up in Europe, where only 13 spots are available for the 32-team tournament but 55 teams are competing for those coveted places. With fierce competition in the UEFA qualifying groups, every match feels like a cup final and no team can afford to slip up.
In Group A, Portugal and Serbia are locked in a tight battle for first place. Led by captain Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal is hoping to qualify and make another deep World Cup run after winning Euro 2016. But Serbia is nipping at their heels, with Premier League stars like Dušan Tadić eager to reach Serbia's first World Cup since 2010. These two European heavyweights know their matchup in November could decide who automatically qualifies.
Over in Group B, Spain finds itself in an unusual position - staring up in the standings at Sweden and Greece. Despite boasting a squad brimming with talent like Pedri and Álvaro Morata, Spain has dropped points in embarrassing draws against Greece and Kosovo. Now they need a flawless finish just to guarantee a playoff spot. Sweden meanwhile believes this could be the year they overtake Spain, with superstar Zlatan Ibrahimović coming out of international retirement to lead the charge.
Group C has turned into a showdown between Italy and Switzerland, as the reigning Euro champions clash with the team that knocked them out of World Cup 2018 qualifying last time. Italy has rebuilt into a formidable squad after that failure to reach Russia, while Switzerland relies on team unity and players like Xherdan Shaqiri to contend. With only one guaranteed ticket to Qatar available, their November 12th matchup in Rome is sure to be a tense affair.
Road to Qatar 2022: Catch All the Action as World Cup Qualifying Continues Today - CONMEBOL Qualifying Wide Open
The race to reach Qatar 2022 from the CONMEBOL region in South America is tighter than ever. With only 4 or 5 direct qualifying spots available for 10 passionate footballing nations, the stakes could not be higher in these fiercely contested matches. Surprise results and dramatic late goals have shaken up the table, leaving plenty of room for more upsets before the end of qualifying.
Traditional powers like Brazil and Argentina have failed to dominate as convincingly as usual. Brazil remains undefeated but has drawn half its matches, leaving Tite's men stuck in second place behind Argentina. Even with superstar Neymar leading the attack, Brazil has lacked its typical flair and cutting edge against rugged CONMEBOL defenses.
Meanwhile, even the great Lionel Messi has been unable to elevate Argentina to sustained excellence. Despite the Paris Saint-Germain star's best efforts, Argentina has suffered embarrassing defeats to Brazil and Paraguay. With a trip to Bolivia's oxygen-deprived altitude looming, Argentina cannot take its ticket to Qatar for granted just yet.
This uncertainty at the top has opened the door for the likes of Ecuador and Uruguay to state their case. Ecuador sits third and remains unbeaten, riding the wave of enthusiasm brought by new manager Gustavo Alfaro. Led by Enner Valencia, Ecuador boasts a powerful attack that has blitzed Chile, Bolivia and Colombia.
As for Uruguay, they have shaken off their early struggles to go undefeated in the last 6 matches under veteran manager Oscar Tabárez. The gritty performances of Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani continue to defy Father Time, driving Uruguay up the standings. With winnable home matches still ahead against Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay threaten to grab an automatic qualification place at their expense.
The most dramatic storyline though belongs to Colombia. Once considered a lock to qualify, los Cafeteros have won only one of their last seven qualifiers. With original manager Carlos Queiroz fired mid-campaign, Colombia hoped new boss Reinaldo Rueda could get them back on track. Yet puzzlingly passive performances have caused Colombian fans to lose faith.
Road to Qatar 2022: Catch All the Action as World Cup Qualifying Continues Today - Canada on Verge of First World Cup Since 1986
For the first time in decades, football fever is sweeping across Canada as the men's national team stands on the cusp of qualifying for its first World Cup since 1986. This generation of Canadian players and fans barely remembers the glory days of Canada's lone World Cup appearance over 30 years ago. But now brimming with belief under English manager John Herdman, Canada aims to make Qatar 2022 the long-awaited sequel.
Canada currently tops the CONCACAF qualification standings with 16 points from 8 matches. After years of mediocrity, Canada's rise began when Herdman took over the men's program in 2018. Previously the successful coach of Canada's women's team for nearly a decade, Herdman brought confidence and elite standards to a men's team in disarray.
Implementing a high-pressing, possession-based style, Herdman built Canada into a proactive team that seizes the initiative against opponents. Veterans like Milan Borjan and Atiba Hutchinson have taken their games to new levels under Herdman's leadership. Meanwhile, a core of young talent developed successfully by the Canadian youth system is now blossoming on the senior stage.
Alphonso Davies, Tajon Buchanan and Jonathan David barely remember Canada's past World Cup droughts - they grew up expecting to compete on the world stage. Their pace and fearlessness embody Canada's newfound belief and attacking mentality.
After coasting through the first round of CONCACAF qualifying, Canada now faces six teams in a final round-robin. Crucial wins over Mexico and the United States proved Canada can beat the region's heavyweights. With the top three teams advancing automatically to Qatar, Canada is currently well-positioned to secure its long-awaited World Cup return.
Road to Qatar 2022: Catch All the Action as World Cup Qualifying Continues Today - African Nations Jostle for Advantage
The battle to represent Africa at the 2022 World Cup is heating up, as 40 nations compete for just 5 spots in the 32-team field. With two rounds left in group stage qualifying, several giants of African football find themselves in danger, while underdog nations see a rare path emerging. The winding road to Qatar has been full of shocking results so far.
Perennial powerhouse Cameroon currently sits in second place behind Ivory Coast in a tight Group D. Despite boasting elite talents like Karl Toko Ekambi, Cameroon has struggled mightily. They suffered an embarrassing 2-1 home loss to the Cape Verde islands, and only managed a 1-1 draw in Mozambique. With qualifying now down to the wire, legendary Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o called the team’s mentality “a catastrophe.” Unless they find form soon, Cameroon risks missing their second straight World Cup.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah’s Egypt is staring down a similar crisis. After losing the AFCON final in February to Senegal, Egypt has won just one of their last 5 matches. Salah’s Liverpool magic has mysteriously evaporated playing for his country, as Egypt has scored only two goals during this poor run. Now sitting second in their group behind surprise leader Libya, Egypt’s World Cup fate hangs in the balance.
With the continent’s two most successful teams wobbling, several historic underdogs are poised to steal the spotlight. The tiny island nation of Comoros was ranked 187th in the world entering qualifying, but currently leads Group C after a monumental 1-0 victory over Ghana. Qualifying for the World Cup was not even a dream for Comoros a year ago, but now their fans will be glued to the TV for the next two matches, barely able to comprehend their position.
Meanwhile, the Lions of Teranga from Senegal seek their second ever World Cup appearance and first since 2002. Africa's top ranked team, Senegal boasts phenomenal talent like Sadio Mané, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly. With comfortable leads in their group, Senegal look primed to book their ticket. The only disappointment is that a match with Mendy's Chelsea teammate Salah and Egypt may not materialize if Egypt continue to slip.
An alluring storyline is also unfolding in Group G, where South Africa trails Ghana by only one point. Ghana has reached the last three World Cups, but South Africa has failed to qualify since hosting the tournament in 2010. South Africa’s Bafana Bafana are determined to return to the global stage, leaning on forwards like Percy Tau to spearhead the attack. With South Africa and Ghana clashing on the final matchday, their showdown could determine who advances.
Road to Qatar 2022: Catch All the Action as World Cup Qualifying Continues Today - Asian Heavyweights Dueling for Automatic Spots
The final round of Asian qualifying for the 2022 World Cup is shaping up to be a battle royale, with the region's traditional heavyweights all vying for the coveted automatic qualifying spots. With only 4 or 5 direct World Cup places available for Asia's 12 finalists, the stakes could not be higher for these football-mad nations.
Two qualifying slots are almost certainly reserved for Japan and South Korea - arguably Asia's strongest teams historically. After reaching the knockout rounds in 3 of the last 4 World Cups, both countries expect to qualify and see the tournament as a chance to gain global recognition.
Despite being rivals, Japan and South Korea have followed similar trajectories in developing into Asian football powerhouses. Both countries have made long-term investments into youth coaching and facilities, while the J-League and K-League provide high-level competition. Players like Son Heung-min (South Korea) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (Japan) now ply their trade for top European clubs.
Yet neither side can take their ticket for granted. In an extremely well-balanced Asian confederation, nothing less than excellence in qualifying will do. Japan currently leads Group B after grinding out a gritty win over Australia, with South Korea trailing by two points. With the top two teams in each group advancing automatically, both will be eyeing maximum points from upcoming games against weaker opposition.
Meanwhile, Australia is left clinging to hope of claiming the other direct spot from Group B. Despite boasting some talented individuals like Aaron Mooy and Mat Ryan, the Socceroos have often struggled in Asian qualifying. Defensive lapses saw them drop points against lower-ranked Oman and China, putting Australia in real danger of needing to go through playoffs.
Over in Group A, the fight for automatic qualification is even more unforgiving. Iran currently leads the way after cruising through an astonishing 14-match unbeaten run in the second round of qualifying. But arch-rivals South Korea are right on their heels in second position. These two passionate footballing nations would desperately love to claim the group's top spot and avoid a nervy playoff. Iran's hopes may rest on the clinical finishing of striker Sardar Azmoun, who has been in electric form.
Meanwhile, long-time Asian powerhouse Saudi Arabia languishes down in 3rd position following a disastrous campaign so far. After breezing through qualifying in 2018, Saudi Arabia did not even make it out of the group stage at the last World Cup in Russia. Now they face a desperate scramble just to reach Qatar 2022 via playoffs.
Road to Qatar 2022: Catch All the Action as World Cup Qualifying Continues Today - Oceania's Long Road to Qatar
The World Cup qualification journey is always a grueling one for the island nations of Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). While other confederations have multiple guaranteed spots at the World Cup, Oceania only gets a 0.5 spot in the 32-team field. This means that even after navigating a full qualifying process, Oceania’s best team only earns the right to then face a South American side in an intercontinental playoff. The odds are massively stacked against any Oceania team actually reaching the World Cup.
Yet the islands refuse to give up hope, as Qatar 2022 qualifying highlighted. The 11 national teams of Oceania, representing over 10 million people scattered across the Pacific, realize the monumental task at hand. But for countries like New Zealand, Tahiti, and the Solomon Islands, even the remote chance of playing on the World Cup stage drives their players to extraordinary feats. Battling 6,000 mile trips between islands, intense tropical heat and humidity, along with sparse resources and little media coverage are small prices to pay for the dream of hearing their anthem play before a global audience.
New Zealand has led the way, coming agonizingly close to qualifying on multiple occasions. After dominating Oceania qualifying with 10 straight victories while scoring 43 goals, the All Whites faced mighty Peru in the intercontinental playoff for Russia 2018. A spirited Kiwi effort ended in heartbreak, as Peru narrowly won 2-0 on aggregate. Undeterred, New Zealand regrouped and again swept aside Oceania opposition to reach another playoff, booking a date with Costa Rica for Qatar 2022.
While New Zealand will be heavy underdogs once more, what Oceania lacks in World Cup appearances they make up for with a genuine love of the beautiful game. Neighboring islands separated by vast expanses of open ocean come together in a real spirit of community during qualification. When American Samoa suffered a record 31-0 defeat to Australia in 2001, it only strengthened their pride in representing their tiny nation of 55,000 people. Vanuatu players walked barefoot onto pitches in the humid Solomon Islands in 2016, before shocking the home crowd with a miracle 3-2 victory.