Footy fanatics rejoice

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/01/2023 (622 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

“In 2023 I resolve to watch a lot of football.” It’s the only New Year’s resolution I’ve made, and I have a 100 per cent chance of seeing it through. The schedule leaves me no other choice, and I’m not complaining.

If anything, I’m feeling somewhat overwhelmed.

With streaming services such as FUBO and DAZN continuing to add Europe and South America-based content, and with a few competitions still available on traditional cable, Canadian viewers can watch — and bear with me — the top leagues of England, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Portugal, Turkey, Belgium and the Netherlands, among others.

Then there’s the domestic and continental cups. Oh, and international competitions. And a whole lot of ‘em.

So you see what I mean. Assuming you have any sort of daily commitment, your only option is a scaled-down programme in which you pick and play your favourites. I certainly have mine — many of the predictable variety, but a few slightly off the beaten path.

One of the first events I’ll be following this year is among those I look forward to the most: the South American Youth Championship, Jan. 19-Feb. 12.

This is a platform that helped launch Diego Maradona in 1979, Lionel Messi in 2005 and Neymar in 2011. Unfortunately, the 2023 instalment won’t feature Brazilian blue-chipper Endrick – the 16-year-old left-footer recently signed by Real Madrid for an eye-popping €72 million — although there will still be some can’t-miss prospects to watch.

Incidentally, Endrick’s absence will shift the spotlight to 17-year-old Athletico Paranaense forward Vitor Roque, who will likely have a starting role in Ramon Menezes’ Brazil squad despite being its second-youngest player. Paraguay attacker Allan Wlk will also be meticulously scouted, as will Peru defender Aron Sanchez and Colombia striker Jhon Duran, who broke through with Chicago Fire last season.

Staying with the international calendar, the Euro 2024 qualifiers kick off in March, and the initial matchday will have England in Italy and the Netherlands in France. Then, in mid-June, the Netherlands will welcome Croatia, Italy and Spain to Rotterdam and Enschede for the UEFA Nations League Finals.

The spring and summer tournament schedule will begin in earnest on May 20 when the FIFA U-20 World Cup begins in Indonesia. European sides have won the previous four titles, although between 1993 and 2011 eight of the 10 champions came from South America. Brazil are among the favourites this time around, as are France, Italy and Nigeria.

Two weeks after the gold medal match in Jakarta, Canada’s men’s national team will contest the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States. On the heels of a disappointing display in Qatar, they’ll want to at least make the July 16 final at SoFi Stadium. If they don’t, there could be something of a shake-up in the coaching staff — assuming, of course, that Canada Soccer can actually afford a new manager. (Spoiler: they can’t.)

Finally, Canada’s women will open the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand with a Group B match in Melbourne on July 21. Ireland, Nigeria and the co-host Matildas complete the bracket, and if they can top it, the reigning Olympic Gold Medalists will likely face one of Denmark and Chile in the round of 16. From there, barring a series of upsets, either France or Brazil would await. This is a considerably more difficult competition to win than the Olympics, and a semifinal berth would represent impressive success for Canada, presently ranked sixth in the world.

Returning to club football, one of the less-popular tournaments I enjoy is the FIFA Club World Cup, to be played in Morocco from Feb. 1-11. An intriguing storyline is the presence of Seattle Sounders — the first Major League Soccer outfit to represent the CONCACAF region. Hosts Wydad Casablanca also happen to be the African Champions League winners, making this roster, which includes Flamengo and Real Madrid, one of the strongest ever.

Next month will also mark the return of the UEFA Champions League and round of 16 appearances for Canadians Tajon Buchanan and Cyle Larin (Club Brugge), Stephen Eustaquio (Porto) and Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich). It could also be last-chance-saloon for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and the current incarnation of Paris Ste-Germain. Realistically, there are as many as seven teams who could lift the European Cup, making this year’s an unusually wide-open field.

In the UEFA Women’s Champions League, recommencing March 21, six of the eight quarterfinalists will realistically think they can win the trophy. Chelsea, with Canadians Jessie Fleming and Kadeisha Buchanan, are one of them, as are Ashley Lawrence’s PSG and 2022 winners Lyon, who have Canada international Vanessa Gilles on loan from Angel City.

I should probably stop there. I have word count to consider, after all. And, you know, a life. Though, admittedly, football consumes a lot of it. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Is it all a bit overwhelming? Perhaps. But we’re also spoiled for choice. As I often tell people, Canadian viewers might have world football’s most thorough broadcast schedule, and I resolve to enjoy as much of it as I can.

Here’s to The Beautiful Game in 2023!

jerradpeters@gmail.com

Twitter @JerradPeters