The Euro 2020 qualifying campaign takes centre stage
this month, as the fi nal, crucial matches loom into view.
The size of the fi nals tournament means there are unlikely
to be many big-name casualties in the preliminaries –
in contrast to the 2018 World Cup – but the return of Italy
and Holland as serious contenders offers an opportunity
to take an in-depth look at each group and the most
exciting players that have emerged
over the past year (page 27),
Our cover star Eden Hazard
(page 52) is one of a number of
potential stars of next summer’s
tournament. Certainly, the Belgium
side which he leads and who look
certain to qualify, will be among
the favourites irrespective of what
happens in the remaining
qualifying matches.
Unfortunately, next summer’s “pan-European” fi nals
will be unlike any previous tournament. It will lack the
inclusive identity of past fi nals, with fans forced to travel
huge distances across the continent, at great fi nancial
and environmental cost. But there will
still be plenty of emerging
players, teams and stories
for us to cover over the
coming months. Watch
this space.
New Barcelona star Fati wanted by Spain for Under-17 World Cup ................... p
Romelu Lukaku highlights Italian racism problem .................................................... p
Euro 2020 qualifi ers reach critical stage .................................................................... p
Diego Maradona back in Argentina ............................................................................... p
Women’s Euro 2021 qualifi ers kick off ....................................................................... p
Colombia joins World Cup 2030 bidding race .......................................................... p
New UEFA competition confi rmed ................................................................................ p
Famalicao surprise league leaders in Portugal ......................................................... p
Australian A-League gets under way ........................................................................... p
Asian 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign starts .................................................. p
IRAN
Infantino calls for
end to female ban
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has called on Iran
to allow female fans to attend the country’s first
home game of the 2022 World Cup qualifying
competition, against Cambodia on October 10
“We need to have women attending,” says
Infantino. “We have been assured that as of
the next international game of Iran...women
will be allowed to enter football stadiums. This
is something very important – in 40 years this
has not happened, with a couple of exceptions.”
Infantino’s comments followed the death of
Sahar Khodayari, who was arrested for trying to
go to a match disguised as a man. Khodayari,
also known as the “blue girl” after the colours of
her favourite team Esteghlal, set herself on fire
outside the court and died a week later.Gavin Hamilton, Editor
Next summer’s
“pan-European”
fi nals will be
unlike any
previous
tournament
THE WORLD THIS MONTH
Plea...Gianni Infantino