In Europe, most teams still have six qualifying matches to play; several more will have to negotiate a playoff before claiming their places. South America’s prolonged qualifying process is a third of the way through: Brazil sits atop the standings after six games, but still has 12 left to play. All of that has to fit into a club calendar already squeezed by the timing shift necessary to accommodate, for the first time and contrary to what was originally advertised, a World Cup held in the northern hemisphere’s winter. There is another Cup of Nations scheduled for Africa that summer, and a further Gold Cup, too. As ever, it is the players who will pay the price, and especially, ironically, those who enjoy the greatest success.

Source: International New York Times July 12, 2021 16:28 UTC