April 26 – South American football will face a demanding calendar this summer as governing body Conmebol announced that World Cup qualifying will resume in June before the Copa America kicks off.
Rounds seven and eight of qualifying for next year’s World Cup have been rescheduled for early June, with exact dates still to be decided by the South American governing body. Rounds five and six will be played in the autumn with Conmebol requesting from FIFA it would be allowed to plan more triple headers.
South America has been heavily hit by the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in a congested calendar once football returned after the start of the health crisis. The 2020 Copa America had to be postponed by a year and will start this summer on June 13. Both invitees Qatar and Australia have cancelled their participation in the tournament, co-hosted by Argentina and Colombia.
In July and August, Brazil and Argentina will also represent the region at the Olympic football tournament in Tokyo. The tournament will be played with U-24 teams with three senior players per squad allowed.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1714597398labto1714597398ofdlr1714597398owedi1714597398sni@o1714597398fni1714597398