Clubes y selecciones en acción (SPA-ENG)

Clubs and national teams in action

In the next two weeks, we'll have some great international soccer action, first with the double-header qualifying for the next FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Mexico, Canada, and the United States in the middle of next year, and then with the Club World Cup, whose new, expanded format will debut next Saturday, June 14, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The FIFA double-header will kick off this Thursday, June 5, and here in South America, we have some exciting matches, such as the one between the host nation Venezuela and the Bolivian national team; Although there are still a few more matches to play, this match is crucial because they are direct rivals vying for the half-place spot, which will allow a team from this region of the world to compete in a playoff with five other teams: one from Asia, one from Africa, one from Oceania, and two from CONCACAF. This mini-tournament will determine two World Cup berths—a difficult but not impossible one. If Venezuela wins one of them, it will secure its first World Cup appearance, something all Venezuelans crave.

There are other important matches, for example, the one between Colombia and Peru. The Colombians are looking for a win to consolidate their position among the qualifiers, while Peru needs a win to maintain any chance. In Guayaquil, Ecuador hosts Brazil and can secure qualification with a win, although they need a few more favorable results. For Brazil, a defeat would plunge them into a sea of ​​​​doubt, something they do not want. Paraguay and Uruguay are comfortably tied in the table; a win for either of them would provide greater peace of mind. Finally, Chile hosts Argentina, the comfortable leader and currently the only qualifier that will have to field an emergency team due to a suspension for yellow cards and several injuries. La Roja, on the other hand, is playing for what little optimism it has left to avoid failing to qualify for a World Cup again; a defeat leaves them condemned and out of the running.

Not much can be said about the second matchday, which will be played on Tuesday, June 10, as everything will depend on the results tomorrow and Friday.

Regarding the Club World Cup, it would merit much more than I'm going to say here. Just remember that this is the first time it will be played in this expanded 32-team format, and the opening match will be played by Inter Miami, with Leo Messi as the main star, against African champions Al Ahly of Egypt, about whom I'm not very familiar.

This tournament, whose qualification is intricate, has led to some very important teams, such as Barcelona of Spain, not being among the 32 mentioned, nor to any club from Uruguay, Colombia, or Ecuador. For example, Boca Juniors of Argentina, which has not been in the international spotlight for several years, has raised questions at all levels, and adjustments will surely be made for the next tournament, although I must admit that it won't be easy to satisfy everyone and create a ranking that is completely fair and equitable.

The positive thing is that this important and unprecedented tournament will soon begin, and although in principle I see considerable advantages for the European clubs, full of stars and power, it won't be easy for any of them, and I expect a top-level spectacle.

The action begins. Those of us who love football, who are the majority around the world, will sit down to witness a new chapter in the history of competitive team sport.