The World Cup qualifying picture is set to have a little more clarity in the Western Hemisphere this week, with Concacaf and Conmebol action taking center stage on Thursday.
Canada holds the lead in the Concacaf Octagonal, but John Herdman’s men have to find a way to maintain their lead without the services of superstar Alphonso Davies this window. The Canadians head to Honduras, and anything less than a win could mean a new leader could emerge in the region on Thursday night.
The U.S. men’s national team and Mexico are vying for the top spot, but have to take care of business in matches they should win. The USMNT hosts El Salvador in Columbus, while El Tri travels to take on Jamaica.
In Conmebol play, only Brazil and Argentina have stamped their respective tickets so far. That leaves a field of six teams racing for the final two guaranteed spots, along with one play-in opportunity for whoever finishes fifth.
Two teams in the spotlight, Paraguay and Uruguay, go head to head for a match that goes a long way in deciding their fates. A win for Uruguay could put them over the safety line for the moment, and a loss for Paraguay could be the final blow that puts them too far behind the pack.
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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
1. USMNT vs El Salvador – The Americans can not waste a massive home-field advantage in terms of climate. Especially with first place guaranteed to be on the line in the next two contests.
2. Honduras vs Canada – Can Canada keep its first-place form without Davies?
3. Jamaica vs Mexico – Mexico, also in the running for first place, takes on a Jamaican side that has to put a lengthy winning streak together.
4. Paraguay vs Uruguay – A crucial matchup that neither side can afford to lose.
5. Chile vs Argentina – Chile needs to make up some ground. Will it get a little mercy from an Argentine side that has already clinched?
This Week’s Soccer on TV and Online
Monday
African Cup of Nations
11 a.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – Guinea vs Gambia
2 p.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – Cameroon vs Comoros
English Championship
2:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – Blackburn Rovers vs Middlesbrough
AFC Women’s Asian Cup
3 a.m. – Paramount+ – Myanmar vs Korea Republic
5 a.m. – Paramount+ – Philippines vs Australia
7 a.m. – Paramount+ – Indonesia vs Thailand
9 a.m. – Paramount+ – Vietnam vs Japan
Liga MX Femenil
6 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN – Necaxa vs Pumas UNAM
8 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA – América vs Monterrey
10 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN – Juárez vs Tigres UANL
10 p.m. – ESPN Deportes, fuboTV – Tijuana vs Atlético San Luis
Spanish Segunda
3 p.m. – ESPN+ – Almería vs Eibar
Tuesday
African Cup of Nations
11 a.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – Senegal vs Cape Verde Islands
2 p.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – Morocco vs Malawi
English Championship
2:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – Queens Park Rangers vs Swansea City
Belgian First Division A
12:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – Antwerp vs Sint-Truiden
Club Friendly
4 p.m. – ESPN+ – Temperley vs Instituto Atlético Central Córdoba
7 p.m. – ESPN+ – Cerro Largo vs Liverpool
Wednesday
African Cup of Nations
11 a.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – Côte d’Ivoire vs Egypt
2 p.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – Mali vs Equatorial Guinea
Belgian First Division A
3 p.m. – ESPN+ – Anderlecht vs Cercle Brugge
Scottish Premiership
2:45 p.m. – CBS Sports Network, fuboTV – Hearts vs Celtic
Club Friendly
5 p.m. – ESPN+ – Nacional vs Peñarol
7:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – Estudiantes vs San Lorenzo
AFC Women’s Asian Cup
9 a.m. – Paramount+ – India vs China
9 a.m. – Paramount+ – Chinese Taipei vs Iran
Liga de Expansión MX
8:05 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA – Tampico Madero vs Dorados
10:05 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA – Cimarrones de Sonora vs Atlético Morelia
Thursday
World Cup Qualifying
4:10 a.m. – Paramount+ – Australia vs Vietnam
5 a.m. – Paramount+ – Japan vs China
7 a.m. – Paramount+ – Lebanon vs Korea Republic
9:30 a.m. – Paramount+ – Iran vs Iraq
12:15 p.m. – Paramount+ – Saudi Arabia vs Oman
4 p.m. – Fubo Sports Network – Ecuador vs Brazil
6 p.m. – Fubo Sports Network – Paraguay vs Uruguay
7 p.m. – CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ – Jamaica vs Mexico
7 p.m. – ESPN2, fuboTV, TUDN USA – United States vs El Salvador
7:15 p.m. – Fubo Sports Network – Chile vs Argentina
8:05 p.m. – Paramount+ – Honduras vs Canada
9:05 p.m. – Paramount+, fuboTV – Costa Rica vs Panama
Belgian First Division A
2:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – Club Brugge vs Union Saint-Gilloise
AFC Women’s Asian Cup
3 a.m. – Paramount+ – Vietnam vs Myanmar
3 a.m. – Paramount+ – Japan vs Korea Republic
9 a.m. – ESPN Deportes, fuboTV – Australia vs Thailand
9 a.m. – Paramount+ – Philippines vs Indonesia
Liga de Expansión MX
10 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA – Atlante vs Tapatío
Liga MX Femenil
11 a.m. – ESPN Deportes, fuboTV – Monterrey vs Mazatlán
1 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA – Cruz Azul vs Juárez