Things remain tense in South American World Cup qualifying, where the race for spots is tightening up as it heads into the second half of the tournament.
For everyone aside from Brazil and Argentina, that is.
There are six teams with a realistic argument for the final two spots to guarantee World Cup bids, and Colombia is looking to get some separation at the top end of that race.
The Colombians were able to hold Brazil to a goal-less draw in the last international break, and would probably take a carbon copy of that performance when they do battle again on Thursday.
Also on Thursday, Paraguay and Chile are on the lower end of the CONMEBOL race to qualify and go head-to-head for a clash that both sides view as a must-win.
European World Cup qualifying is also in full swing, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal finds itself trailing Serbia in its group. A win against Ireland is vital to the Portuguese effort to jump into first place.
Spain is in a similar situation, trailing Sweden in its group heading into a visit to Greece, which could close to within a point of La Roja with an upset win.
The U.S. Under-20 men’s national team recently hired a new coach, and Mikey Varas will get his first run with his new group on Wednesday when the Americans face Brazil in the Revelations Cup. Cade Cowell, Caden Clark and Gabriel Slonina headline the U.S. U-20 squad competing down in Mexico.
U.S. Women’s national team stars headline the UEFA Women’s Champions League action on Wednesday. Catarina Macario and Olympique Lyonnais have a group stage showdown with Bayern Munich on Tuesday, and Tobin Heath and Arsenal do battle with Danish side HB Køge.
If you haven’t yet, be sure to sign up for your free trials of fuboTV, ESPN+, and Paramount+ for all your soccer streaming needs. Make sure you use these SBI-specific links to sign up today, and if you sign up for Paramount+ using our link (and use the offer code SBI) you will receive a free one-month trial.
Here is a look at This Week’s Top 5 Matches to Watch, as well as a full rundown of This Week’s Soccer on TV and Online:
This Week’s Top 5 Matches to Watch
Brazil vs Colombia – Colombia was able to neutralize the Brazilian buzzsaw last month. Most teams in the globe would be satisfied with that. If they can avoid a loss in the rematch, the path to clinching third or fourth place becomes much easier looking ahead.
USMNT Under-20s vs. Brazil Under-20s – The Revelations Cup is a tournament that should provide a glimpse of the next generation of USMNT talent, with the U.S. U-20s featuring the likes of Cade Cowell, Caden Clark and Gabriel Slonina
Ireland vs. Portugal – Cristiano Ronaldo breaks international scoring records seemingly every month, and the Portuguese will need him delivering once more to help move into first place in their World Cup qualifying roup.
Paraguay vs Chile – A true do-or-die game for both sides in the WCQ landscape. A loss will likely see the loser fall out of the picture.
Olympique Lyonnais vs Bayern Munich – Lyon leads the D1 Feminin, Bayern tops the Frauen-Bundesliga. A final-worthy matchup in the group stage should see a UWCL tournament favorite emerge.
This Week’s Soccer on TV and Online
Monday
English FA Cup
2:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – Dagenham & Redbridge vs Salford City
Argentine Primera División
2:45 p.m. – Paramount+, fuboTV – Newell’s Old Boys vs Unión Santa Fe
5 p.m. – Paramount+, fuboTV – Huracán vs Argentinos Juniors
7:15 p.m. – Paramount+, fuboTV – Aldosivi vs Boca Juniors
Brasileirão
6 p.m. – Paramount+ – Chapecoense vs Flamengo
Ecuadorian Primera A
7 p.m. – fuboTV – Manta vs Nueve de Octubre
Liga MX Femenil
6 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA – Toluca vs León
8 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA – Tigres UANL vs Pumas UNAM
10 p.m. – TUDN, fuboTV – Juárez vs Puebla
Tuesday
UEFA Women’s Champions League
12:45 p.m. – YouTube – Zhytlobud-1 vs Breidablik
12:45 p.m. – YouTube – Servette Chênois vs Chelsea
3 p.m. – YouTube – PSG vs Real Madrid
3 p.m. – YouTube – Juventus vs Wolfsburg
Brasileirão
7:30 p.m. – Paramount+ – Grêmio vs Fluminense
Canadian Premier League
7 p.m. – Fox Soccer Plus, fuboTV – York United vs Forge
Honduran Liga Nacional
8 p.m. – fuboTV, FOX Deportes – Real España vs Vida
Liga de Expansión MX
6 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA, TUDN.com – Atlético Morelia vs Tlaxcala
10:05 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA, TUDN.com – Dorados vs Tampico Madero
Wednesday
UEFA Women’s Champions League
12:45 p.m. – YouTube – Køge vs Arsenal
12:45 p.m. – YouTube – Barcelona vs Hoffenheim
3 p.m. – YouTube – SL Benfica Feminino vs Häcken
3 p.m. – YouTube – Olympique Lyonnais vs Bayern Munich
Brasileirão
4:30 p.m. – Paramount+ – Athletico-PR vs Ceará
5 p.m. – Paramount+ – Santos vs RB Bragantino
5 p.m. – Paramount+ – Atlético Mineiro vs Corinthians
6:30 p.m. – Paramount+ – Palmeiras vs Atlético Goianiense
7:30 p.m. – Paramount+ – Fortaleza vs São Paulo
7:30 p.m. – Paramount+ – Juventude vs Internacional
7:30 p.m. – Paramount+ – Sport Recife vs América Mineiro
Friendly
6 p.m. – TUDN USA – USMNT Under-20s vs. Brazil Under-20s
8 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA, TUDN.com – Mexico U20 vs Colombia U20
Thursday
World Cup Qualifying
12 p.m. – ESPN+, fuboTV, TUDN USA – Russia vs Cyprus
12 p.m. – ESPN+ – Georgia vs Sweden
12 p.m. – ESPN App, TUDN.com – Azerbaijan vs Luxembourg
12 p.m. – ESPN+, ESPN App – Armenia vs North Macedonia
2:45 p.m. – ESPN+, fuboTV, TUDN USA – Greece vs Spain
2:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – Malta vs Croatia
2:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – Romania vs Iceland
2:45 p.m. – fuboTV, ESPN3 – Slovakia vs Slovenia
2:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – Germany vs Liechtenstein
2:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – Ireland Republic vs Portugal
4 p.m. – fuboTV, FOX Deportes – Ecuador vs Venezuela
6 p.m. – fuboTV – Paraguay vs Chile
7:30 p.m. – Fox Soccer Plus, fuboTV – Brazil vs Colombia
9 p.m. – fuboTV – Peru vs Bolivia
Copa Argentina
10 p.m. – fuboTV – Talleres Córdoba vs Godoy Cruz
Brasileirão
5 p.m. – Paramount+ – Flamengo vs Bahia
NCAA Men’s Soccer
4 p.m. – fuboTV – California vs Stanford
9 p.m. – fuboTV – Oregon St. vs Washington