World Soccer - UK (2020-11)

One of the most important years

in South American football is1996,

which marked the start of the

marathon format of the continent’s

World Cup qualifiers, with all ten

nations playing each other home

and away. It provided the type of

calendar European national teams

take for granted – regular competitive

matches, guaranteed income, and

it brought about a dramatic

improvement in the traditionally

weaker sides. South America can

now boast the most competitive

qualifiers around. No one is making

up the numbers. All ten teams go

into the competition with dreams

of going all the way.

But the format could be at risk

this time. The coronavirus has already

taken away the March and September

matches. And while FIFA have ratified

the October dates, there must be

big doubts about both them and

November’s fixtures. The virus has

not been brought under control,

and there are obvious problems in

bringing the stars across from Europe.

It could be a squeeze to fit in the

full18-round schedule. According

to Chile’s sports minister, talks have

been held about staging the games in

Europe. More likely would be a return

to the previous format, where the

teams are divided into groups. This

would reduce the number of games

• and the income, hence the

resistance, but make it easier to

complete the process in time for Qatar.

But whenever they start and whatever

the format, South America’s World Cup

qualifiers are sure to be fascinating.

THE BIG GUNS

Both Brazil and Argentina have flirted

with disaster in recent times. Brazil

nearlyfailedtomakeitto2002and

Argentina had to struggle mightily to

be present in 2010 and 2018. In the

turmoil of a tough campaign, coaches

are sacked and there are massive

changes in personnel.

There is a feeling that Brazil have

yet to recover from defeat to Belgium

in Russia 2018. True, they won last

year’s Copa on home soil, but were

rarely tested – and a run of poor results

afterwards reinforced the point that the

team have drifted from the standards

of coach Tite’s golden start in 2016-17.

Tite will have to use the qualifiers to

find the right blend, especially in attack.

But he has more than enough talent

at his disposal for Brazil to be serious

contenders in Qatar.

Argentina made a surprise – and

principally, cheap – choice to climb

out of the rubble of Russia 2018 by

appointing the totally inexperienced

Lionel Scaloni to coach the side and

carry out a major rebuild. Lionel Messi

is onside, which helps, and Argentina

ended 2019 with some good results

and the consolidation of some

interesting players. The lack of

top-class defenders remains

a concern, but morale is high.

Uruguay were, statistically at least,

the continent’s best team in two of the

last three World Cups, based on the

excellent youth work carried out under

long-term coach Oscar Tabarez. And

it is this that gives them hope for the

future. Even if strikers Luis Suarez and

Edinson Cavani are past their best,

At risk

South America’s qualifying

process may have to be

shortened or moved

CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers

TIM VICKERY

Colombia...Coach

Carlos Queiroz with

Everton new boy

James Rodriguez

According to Chile’s sports

minister, talks have been

held about staging the

games in Europe