The last round of World Cup qualifiers this year is here.
In a little more than 365 days, in the heart of the Middle East, the biggest football tournament in the world will begin, with games kicking off in Qatar's state-of-the-art, yet controversial, stadiums.
As the story of the qualifiers across the globe evolves, here is a full breakdown of the most exciting storylines to look out for this month.
Lebanon’s players prepare for Iran and the UAE, while the country is under a security and power crisis. (Photo: Lebanese Football Association)
Asia: The AFC
Asia is diving deep into their third round on Thursday morning, and things are starting to get serious. In Group A, South Korea will host the United Arab Emirates in a decisive match for the visitors. In predictably cold weather, the Koreans will be without their best striker, Hwang Ui-jo, through injury, with Kim Gun-hee, Suwon Bluewings' striker, receiving his first career call-up in his place. The weather will likely be against the visitors, with the temperature in South Korea getting close to zero degrees celsius.
Amid the ongoing power and security crisis in Lebanon, the country will host Iran in Saida. The game will be played in the early afternoon, as the Lebanese FA won't take risks with the floodlights shutting down in the middle of the game due to electricity failure. The Cedars are the surprise team of Group A, and will hope to surprise Team Melli to keep their dream alive. Iran coach Dragan Skocic shocked many across Asia when he left Porto forward Mehdi Taremi, who's in great shape for both club and country, out of the squad.
The second matchday sees Lebanon take on the UAE, a game which will likely be a direct face-off for third place, and similarly determine Bert van Marwijck's destiny as the Al Abyad’s (The Whites) gaffer.
Saudi Arabia has a perfect record so far in this stage of the competition, and will play Australia in what is the biggest clash of Group B. A disappointing Japan side, meanwhile, have two must-win games, against Vietnam and Oman away. The last victory over Australia saved manager Hajime Moriyasu's job, but the Blue Samurai will need to get all six points from these next two games to keep their World Cup finals dream realistic - it’s their worst start to a World Cup qualifying third stage ever. Another disappointing display and Moriyasu will likely meet the Samurai’s sword. It won't be pleasant.
✨ #AsianQualifiers Matchday 5️⃣ ✨
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) November 10, 2021
Let's start the predictions ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/AXNycRfyih
Africa: CAF
Mama Africa will witness the final two matchdays of the second stage of qualifiers this week, with teams keeping half an eye on the Africa Cup of Nations which is just around the corner.
Senegal and Morocco are already through to the next round, but other leading nations are all climbing different peaks at the moment, and are being chased to the top.
Algeria and Burkina Faso fight each other in Group A, while in Group B Tunisia will be looking to seal their spot at the top of the table. Nigeria will hope not to slip again in Group C, with Cape Verde waiting for their fall, and the Ivory Coast will go to Cameroon, trying to push the Indomitable Lions off the World Cup cliff in Group D. Uganda will hope to destroy Mali's project in Group E, as Carlos Queiroz’s Egypt will try to finish their work in Group F, looking towards the Arab Cup at the end of the month. Group G sees South Africa in a life-or-death tie against Ghana, in the Baba Yara - both teams are tight at the top of their group standings.
And finally, in Group J, everything is open. In changing conditions, Tanzania, Benin, DR Congo, and Madagascar are all still in the fight for the only ticket to the third round of the African qualifiers. Massive matches are ahead, all over the continent.
🇲🇱 @femafoot 🆚 @OfficialFUFA 🇺🇬
— CAF (@CAF_Online) November 10, 2021
A clash for the group E ticket to the final round of the 2022 #WCQ! 🔥
Who will have the final say?#WorldCup
Europe: UEFA
It’s an intense international break in Europe.
Spain will be hoping to pip Sweden to first place in Group B and, at the same time, Ukraine will be optimistic about their chances in a decisive Group D clash with Bosnia-Herzegovina. Wales won’t let Czechia run away with second place in Group E, behind Belgium, while Israel will need divine intervention to beat Scotland to a potential play-off spot.
The Netherlands, Norway and Turkey will be fighting all the way for the top two spots in Group G, with a direct clash between The Oranje and Erling Haaland's gang on the final day. Albania and Poland will fight each other to join England as the second team to progress out of Group I, while in Group J, Romania, North Macedonia and the extraordinary Armenia, somehow find themselves as playoff material.
Fake hand pass challenge 😎
— Official Armenian FF (@OfficialArmFF) November 9, 2021
Armenia National Team version ✅
Starring @HenrikhMkh and co.#Armenia #ArmeniaNT #Հայաստան #EQ #EuropeanQualifiers #ARMMKD 🇦🇲🇲🇰 pic.twitter.com/ZkxjfCiHpQ
South America: CONMEBOL
What else can we say about South America? Brazil and Argentina are looking like they’ll qualify for Qatar comfortably but, beneath the surface, the rest of the continent are fighting for the leftovers.
With El Viejo maestro Oscar Tabarez still at the helm, Uruguay host Argentina for a heated Rio de la Plata Clasico, with many absentees and injuries in the squad. James Rodriguez returns to the Colombia setup for their vital match against Brazil, while their rivals Ecuador will be wanting to pull away from Los Cafeteros, Chile and the Garra Charrúa (Uruguay) warriors. Within that mix, Chile will have to beat Paraguay and Ecuador to guarantee at least the intercontinental playoff.
Busy days indeed for the second-tier of South American national fútbol teams of South American.
𝐄𝐥 𝐟𝐮́𝐭𝐛𝐨𝐥 𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐬 ❤#EliminatoriasSudamericanas pic.twitter.com/N71JyrXlIA
— CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL) November 9, 2021
North & Central America: CONCACAF
In North America, Mexico will have two challenging away games against Canada and the United States. The weather in Edmonton for the Canada game looks like it’ll be around -4 degrees. And snowy. Quite a challenge for El Tri’s players, who will be wanting to keep first place in the octagonal at their feet.
Panama will hope to win their matches against Honduras and El Salvador, and that the US or Canada drop points.
The big three of North American football, or soccer as they call it, are looking to secure a World Cup spot, but as we know from previous editions, never say never in CONCACAF.
Game week is 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) November 9, 2021
Time for more #CWCQ action. Up first:
🇭🇳 𝕧𝕤 🇵🇦
🇸🇻 𝕧𝕤 🇯🇲
🇨🇦 𝕧𝕤 🇨🇷
🇺🇸 𝕧𝕤 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/trvNBb6mmX
There are some crucial moments for players, teams and countries this window, all ready to explode as the showdown for a place in the finals nears its end.
Edited by Alex Smith, Photo via FIFA World Cup official Twitter account.
