A polarizing week is set to play out for soccer fans all across the globe, with World Cup Qualifying coming to a close for most regions.
North Macedonia shocked the world last week by eliminating Italy from the European scene and can play spoiler once again on Tuesday when it squares off with Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.
Also on Tuesday, a cruel qualifying playoff matchup between Egypt in Senegal will eliminate one of Africa’s best sides. At the moment, a Mohamed Salah goal has the Egyptians up 1-0, but if the Cup of Nations final taught us anything last month, Senegal is talented enough to make it interesting.
Of course, the U.S. men’s national team’s job is not quite done although it is in a favorable situation when it faces off with Costa Rica on Wednesday. The USMNT will clinch a spot with anything better than a 5-0 loss to the Ticos thanks to a heavily padded goal differential.
Ecuador and Uruguay are fighting for the last automatic bid from South America, and neither has an enviable Conmebol finale. Both on Tuesday, Ecuador has to face Argentina and Uruguay squares off with a bitter and already eliminated Chile side.
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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
- Costa Rica vs USMNT – However unlikely, it is still possible for the Ticos to pull off the game of their lives, and that is enough to creep into the thoughts of any American fan.
- Mexico vs El Salvador – A good showing from Costa Rica could wind up putting Mexico on the ropes for the final automatic bid. The Mexicans have proven capable of underperforming and do not have the lofty goal differential benefit earned by the USMNT.
- Portugal vs North Macedonia – If you can knock out Italy, you can knock out Portugal. Does North Macedonia have another upset in it?
- Senegal vs Egypt – Senegal will be in desperation mode to find the equalizer and more.
- Poland vs Sweden – At age 33, this is probably Robert Lewandowski’s last chance for a World Cup appearance in his prime. Can the star striker take matters into his own hands and seal the deal?
This Week’s Soccer on TV and Online
Monday
Argentine Primera B Nacional
6:10 p.m. – fuboTV – Instituto vs Ferro Carril Oeste
8:10 p.m. – fuboTV – San Martín Tucumán vs Deportivo Maipú
Colombian Primera A
8:35 p.m. – fuboTV – Atlético Nacional vs Santa Fe
Liga MX Femenil
6 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA – Toluca vs Querétaro
11 p.m. – fuboTV, FOX Deportes – Tijuana vs Necaxa
Tuesday
World Cup Qualifying
6:35 a.m. – YouTube – Japan vs Vietnam
7:30 a.m. – YouTube – Iran vs Lebanon
9:45 a.m. – YouTube – United Arab Emirates vs Korea Republic
9:45 a.m. – YouTube – Syria vs Iraq
12 p.m. – YouTube – Oman vs China
1 p.m. – ESPN+ – Senegal vs Egypt
1 p.m. – ESPN+ – Nigeria vs Ghana
2 p.m. – ESPN+, ESPN Deportes+, fuboTV – Saudi Arabia vs Australia
2:45 p.m. – ESPN2, ESPN+, fuboTV – Portugal vs North Macedonia
2:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – Poland vs Sweden
3:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – Algeria vs Cameroon
3:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – Morocco vs Congo DR
3:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – Tunisia vs Mali
7:30 p.m. – fuboTV – Bolivia vs Brazil
7:30 p.m. – fuboTV – Ecuador vs Argentina
7:30 p.m. – fuboTV – Peru vs Paraguay
7:30 p.m. – fuboTV – Chile vs Uruguay
7:30 p.m. – fuboTV – Venezuela vs Colombia
UEFA Nations League
10 a.m. – ESPN+, fuboTV – Kazakhstan vs Moldova
12 p.m. – ESPN+, fuboTV – Cyprus vs Estonia
Men’s International Friendly
7 a.m. – ESPN+ – Azerbaijan vs Latvia
10 a.m. – ESPN+ – Croatia vs Bulgaria
12 p.m. – ESPN+ – Finland vs Slovakia
12 p.m. – ESPN+ – Denmark vs Serbia
12 p.m. – ESPN+ – Albania vs Georgia
12 p.m. – ESPN+ – Switzerland vs Kosovo
1 p.m. – ESPN+ – Norway vs Armenia
1 p.m. – ESPN+ – Malta vs Kuwait
1:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – Qatar vs Slovenia
1:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – Israel vs Romania
2:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – Spain vs Iceland
2:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Luxembourg
2:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – Netherlands vs Germany
2:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – Northern Ireland vs Hungary
2:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – England vs Côte d’Ivoire
2:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – Ireland Republic vs Lithuania
2:45 p.m. – ESPN+ – Belgium vs Burkina Faso
3:15 p.m. – ESPN+ – France vs South Africa
Wednesday
World Cup Qualifying
9:05 p.m. – Paramount+, Telemundo Deportes – Panama vs Canada
9:05 p.m. – Paramount+, Telemundo Deportes – Jamaica vs Honduras
9:05 p.m. – Paramount+, fuboTV, TUDN USA – Mexico vs El Salvador
9:05 p.m. – CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, fuboTV – Costa Rica vs United States
NWSL Challenge Cup
7 p.m. – Paramount+ – Orlando Pride vs NJ/NY Gotham FC
7:30 p.m. – Paramount+ – Washington Spirit vs North Carolina Courage
7:30 p.m. – Paramount+ – Chicago Red Stars vs Racing Louisville FC
8:30 p.m. – Paramount+ – Houston Dash vs Kansas City Current
10 p.m. – Paramount+ – Portland Thorns vs Angel City
Copa Argentina
7:10 p.m. – fuboTV – Defensa y Justicia vs Sacachispas
Colombian Primera A
9 p.m. – fuboTV – Millonarios vs Junior
UEFA Women’s Champions League
12:45 p.m. – YouTube – Barcelona vs Real Madrid
3 p.m. – YouTube – PSG vs Bayern München
USL Championship
9 p.m. – ESPN+ – New Mexico United vs Oakland Roots
MLS Next Pro
10 p.m. – MLS Next Pro – Portland Timbers II vs San Jose Earthquakes II
Thursday
UEFA Women’s Champions League
12:45 p.m. – YouTube – Wolfsburg vs Arsenal
3 p.m. – YouTube – Olympique Lyonnais vs Juventus