2021 has been an amazing year for major international tournaments. Events such as the European Championship, Copa America, and CONCACAF Gold Cup brought joy – and heartbreak – to millions of football fans across the world.
Thankfully, the fun doesn’t stop in 2022. The Qatar World Cup is obviously the standout event of the year, but there are plenty of other international competitions to enjoy.
🇧🇪 Belgium end a fourth straight year on top 🥇🇨🇦 Canada are 2021's 'Most Improved Side' 🥇📈 Check out the year's other big winners in the final #FIFARanking of 2021 👇— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) December 23, 2021
🇧🇪 Belgium end a fourth straight year on top 🥇🇨🇦 Canada are 2021's 'Most Improved Side' 🥇📈 Check out the year's other big winners in the final #FIFARanking of 2021 👇
Here are five international tournaments to look forward to in 2022.
The first major international tournament of 2022 is just around the corner. The Africa Cup of Nations is set to kick off on January 9, with Cameroon hosting the tournament.
Led by Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez, reigning champions Algeria will be looking to defend their crown. But with Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane representing Egypt and Senegal, respectively, the 33rd edition AFCON is destined to be fiercely competitive.
At the end of the year, the 2022 FIFA World Cup will take place in Qatar across November and December. For the first time ever, major domestic leagues around the world will pause to enable the mid-season tournament to go ahead.
2018 winners France are the bookmakers’ favourites to lift the trophy, although teams such as Brazil, England, Spain and Germany are also expected to challenge for the title.
Following Argentina’s Copa America triumph and Italy’s European Championship win, the Maradona Super Cup has been born. This brand-new concept will see the champions of South America and Europe go head-to-head in a one-off contest.
It goes without saying that Maradona is an Argentinian legend, but Italy was his second home. The two nations are set to battle it out in 2022 in honour of the late, great icon.
Slovakia is set to host the Under-19 European Championship in July and August. A total of eight teams will compete in the tournament, comprised of players born on or after January 1, 2003.
Spain won the previous edition of the tournament back in 2019, with Ferran Torres scoring both goals in the final against Portugal. Can La Roja defend their crown? Or will we see a different team triumph this time around?
Last – but certainly not least – the tenth edition of the Women’s Under-20 World Cup is scheduled to take place in Costa Rica in August. The tournament was supposed to be held last year but was delayed due to the pandemic.
Japan are the defending champions, having won their first title in 2018. However, the United States and Germany – who both have three titles to their name – are the favourites to triumph in 2022.