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Around the Leagues: International Competition Heating up Early in 2022

January 24, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


International Football is back this week - in more than just the African Cup - adding more excellent action to an already stacked list of league matches fans can tune into this weekend. A few international friendlies await, and just as fans do, sides from all reaches of the globe have next week circled on their calendar in preparation for the final round of 2022 World Cup Qualifying matches

African Cup of Nations

It's been an interesting tournament so far, but the African Championship has continually delivered some great football. Close contests provided some late drama to close group play - Ivory Coast took down defending champions Algeria 3-1 in a strong showing, eliminating the visitors from knockout round contention on Thursday. A Tuesday draw for Gabon with Morocco allowed them to edge our Comoros for the final group B spot.

The Round of 16 will kick off begin this Sunday with Burkina Faso facing off with Gabon and Nigeria taking on Tunisia, and run through January 26. Click here for a full list of fixtures.

International Friendlies

A big slate of national team contests is on the schedule this weekend. Eight nations will take the pitch as they tune up for the final founds of Qatar qualifiers. Peru and Jamaica kick things off from Lima on Thursday in what will be the two nations' first contest since 2017. Friday will feature two fixtures, as South Korea plays host to Moldova and Bolivia to Trinidad and Tobago.

On Sunday, Indonesia will host Bangledesh for the first of two in Bali. The second contest will take place on Wednesday, just in time for the resumption of qualifying matches for this November's dance in Qatar.

World Cup Qualifying

Since the New Year began, international sides have been readying for the last leg of World Cup qualifiers this spring. The USMNT will wrap up their training camp this weekend, before readying for a crucial stretch to start the spring schedule. They'll take on El Salvador next Thursday, January 27, Canada on January 30, and Honduras on February 2.

Qualifying competitions are also set to resume in CONMEBOL, where just two sides have qualified thus far, and in Asia, where every nation is still looking to punch a ticket.

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