World Cup qualifying in January seems alien to me and an unnecessary break from the already congested domestic schedules many countries are facing.
In fact, initially I struggled to get remotely excited at the thought, especially with the matches involving European nations on pause until March – the SBOTOP World Cup qualifying betting odds for which make interesting reading.
On reflection, though, looking afresh at some of the fixtures coming up, coupled with the standings the continent over, there are plenty of reasons to look forward with optimism and anticipate World Cup qualifying highlights this next week.
So far, we know the identity of 13 nations competing in Qatar with the hosts, who receive an automatic qualification ticket, joined by Germany, Denmark, Brazil, Belgium, holders France, Croatia, Spain, Serbia, England, Switzerland, Netherlands and Argentina.
The final three European berths will be allocated via play-offs in the spring and, incredibly, the way the draw has panned out means at least one of Italy or Portugal – the last two countries to be crowned European champions – will miss out.
While we wait to see how qualifiers elsewhere around the globe pan out this week though, do forgive me for retaining a degree of being underwhelmed given the number of key absences.
Lionel Messi
There is no bigger absentee than reigning world footballer of the year Lionel Messi.
Argentina have left their captain out of their squad for qualifiers against Chile and Colombia as the Paris St Germain forward continues his recovery from Covid-19.
The twice World Cup winners and current Copa America champions have, of course, qualified for the finals in Qatar and sit second in the 10-team South American group.
The 34 year-old Messi was omitted from their 27-man squad after not playing for PSG since just before Christmas in French Ligue 1.
Messi spent the festive period in Argentina before testing positive and trained separately from his team mates on his return to Paris.
He did come off the bench to set up a goal at the weekend as the team continued its saunter to the title but it’s natural he is being rested given Argentina’s place in Qatar is secured.
Messi is not the only big name missing out but, again, Brazil’s choice to omit his club team-mate Neymar is also understandable given the qualification position.
Neymar (Brazil)
Neymar has been left out due to an ankle injury, the latest setback since his world record move in 2017.
Indeed, Neymar’s injuries have meant that he has missed almost 100 games for PSG since signing in 2017.
The South American picked up the odd ailment through the opening months of his spell in France, but a debut campaign at PSG was brought to a premature conclusion in February 2018 by a broken metatarsal.
A similar injury was suffered in January 2019, leading to several weeks on the treatment table, while hamstring trouble held him back in the 2019-20 campaign.
Adductor issues have been common since then, while the current problem has prevented him playing since late November.
The priority will naturally be to try and get him back in action for PSG’s mouth -watering Champions League tie with Real Madrid next month and the World Cup in Qatar.
There is some other surprise news in the Brazil squad after boss Tite left out Renan Lodi for their qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay because the Atletico Madrid full back has not had a full course of Covid-19 vaccines.
Tite does not agree with those who are reluctant to take the vaccine in the midst of the pandemic.
Liverpool midfielder Fabinho and Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta have been included on the roster but will miss the game against Ecuador on Thursday (January 27) through suspension.
So, plenty of absentees for a nation which has already sealed a spot for the World Cup and is unbeaten in qualifying.
All in all, it is just another chapter in an unusual international break during which there will be World Cup qualifying matches in South America, North America and Asia, all while the Africa Cup of Nations continues.
And to add a further layer of complexity to the situation, some players will have a short holiday while others will head off on training camps with their clubs.
Enjoy!
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