This January international break is going to be one of the most decisive on the road to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.
It’s a new one, a result of the revised schedule, with three confederations taking part.
📸 منتخبنا الوطني يختتم تدريباته على استاد زعبيل بنادي الوصل في دبي ويعلن عن جاهزيته لمواجهة الامارات يوم غد الثلاثاء. pic.twitter.com/etZ6BNQwqJ
— IRAQ F.A. (@IRAQFA) October 11, 2021
Asia: AFC
In group A, the two group leaders - Iran and South Korea - are close to clinching their berths to Qatar. Tallying at 16 and 14 points respectively, they are a clear distance ahead of third place UAE.
South Korea should find the mission easier. They are playing two away games this window - against Lebanon and Syria. Winning both of these will be enough for them to qualify for their 10th consecutive World Cup. Iran, meanwhile, host two of their fierce rivals - Iraq and the UAE. Team Melli will be hoping that their home advantage will take them one step closer to qualifying.
In Group B, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Australia lead the way, and will be fighting it out in the race for the two qualification spots.
The main event comes on Tuesday with Japan hosting Saudi Arabia - one of these teams will be able to see their outlook more clearly after this match, with both facing easier opponents on Thursday.
Australia meanwhile will be trying to challenge these two teams, playing at home to Vietnam, before traveling for an away match against Oman.
South America: CONMEBOL
With both Brazil and Argentina already qualified for the finals, there’s two spots left in South America, as well as a spot in the intercontinental playoffs.
Ecuador will be hoping to return to the World Cup after missing out in 2018. Their home advantage is well known, but it will be interesting to see if they can make the most of it against Brazil on Thursday. If they do so, their trip to Peru could be the one that finally sees them start to dream of a winter in Qatar.
Behind Ecuador, the group is, quite frankly, a complete mess. The gap between third and ninth place is only four points. As most of the teams feature in this list, a shock result could really shakeup the outlook in South America. Keep an eye out on Thursday in particular, as Colombia host Peru, and Paraguay face Uruguay.
One team to watch out for in particular is Bolivia. They haven’t qualified for a World Cup since 1994, but are still in a position to make it in 2022. On Friday they play against Venezuela as clear favourites, four days later they host Chile, and will be hoping for another good result in La Paz.
José Néstor Pekerman el técnico judío que hace soñar a Venezuela @SeleVinotinto ⚽🇻🇪
— Edgard Sánchez (@EdgardSanchez) January 26, 2022
Este 28 de enero el experimentado técnico judeo-argentino🇮🇱🇦🇷 tendrá su primer compromiso como seleccionador de La #Vinotinto vs Bolivia🇧🇴
Así comienza una nueva era para fútbol venezolano. pic.twitter.com/JEH8snlWte
North America: CONCACAF
CONCACAF is the only continent holding three matchdays this international break. With four teams leading the way - the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Panama - nothing can be predetermined.
One of the most interesting games will be a clash between two of these teams, as Canada host the United States. Three months ago, Canada played against Mexico on a frozen pitch in Edmonton, this time, in Hamilton, Ontario, the conditions could be pretty similar - the current forecast bottoms out at -12°C, after a snow-filled day.
Three days later, Mexico play Panama. Los Canaleros made their World Cup debut four years ago, and this game will be a chance to show that they are capable of doing so once again, but winning in the Azteca is never going to be an easy task.
The other four teams are some away, but will try an inch closer to a playoff spot. And there’s plenty of opportunity left for them to collect points - not only is there this triple matchday in January, but there will be another three rounds of fixtures in March. Nothing is over yet in CONCACAF.
For more World Cup qualifiers content, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and sign up for our newsletter.
Found a mistake? Let us know, and we will fix it, learn from it, and improve next time!
Photo via FIFA Media.
