Every Monday I will be looking back at the prior week and discussing some of the biggest stories in International Football.
Iran
The war between Iran and the United States and Israel has been the top story in world news the past couple of weeks, and there are major implications in the football world. Iran are slated to play in this summers FIFA World Cup, but due to the war, the likelihood of Team Melli actually competing seem to be dwindling quickly.
Iran’s minister of Sport and Youth, Ahmad Donyamali, came out last week and said there was no way Iran would not compete in the World Cup due to the attacks on their country by one of the co-hosts. This contradicted the message FIFA President Gianni Infantino put out only hours before, stating that he spoke with the United States government and that Iran would be welcome to compete.
Though no official decision has been made, the situation in Iran doesn’t seem to be resolving any time soon with the World Cup just months away. It’s another way this World Cup has made headlines for all the wrong reasons, and a ball has not even been kicked yet.
Spain/Argentina
The Finalisima between Spain and Argentina has been cancelled. The showpiece event which features the last winner of the European Championship against the last winner of the Copa America was scheduled to take place in Qatar on March 27th. But due to the conflict in the region, the game has been cancelled.
Attempts to come up with a new venue/date between the Spanish and Argentinian federations ultimately failed, with one proposal having the teams meet on the same date at the Bernabéu in Madrid. This was rejected by Argentina.
It’s a big blow for fans of the game who wanted to see arguably the two best national teams in the world at the moment go head to head, and it’s a bump in the road in both team’s World Cup preparations.
Iraq
There are many more problems caused by the war in Iran, as it has effected the preparations of neighboring Iraq as they are gearing up to compete in the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying play-offs in Mexico at the end of the month. Iraq are on the brink of qualifying for their first World Cup since 1986, 40 years ago this summer. Coincidentally, that World Cup also took place in Mexico.
But travel restrictions has Iraq scrambling to try and get players and staff to Mexico for the playoff. Head coach Graham Arnold has said that the majority of his team will be stuck in Iraq until at least April due to airspace in the country being closed. Arnold himself, along with staff members, are spread out through the Gulf Region and could also be stranded with thousands of flights being cancelled.
The Iraq Football Federation has requested to FIFA to postpone the match. But as of now the games are slated to go through, with news coming on Sunday that Iraq would take a chartered flight to Mexico with the help of FIFA.
Sweden
On the eve of Sweden’s World Cup Qualifying playoff against Ukraine, the Swedish Football Association (SvFF) announced a contract extension of head coach Graham Potter until 2030. Potter originally joined on a short term contract through the play-offs, replacing former coach Jon Dahl Tomasson last fall.
This comes as a bit of a surpise as Potter has yet to really be challenged in the job, and to give him a contract extention through the next 3 major tournaments could be seen as a gamble on Sweden’s part. But clearly Sweden like what they have seen in Potter, who has a long history of coaching in Sweden.
Potter will have plenty of talent at his disposal, with arguably some of the best attacking options in International Football.
Austria
Ralf Rangnick and Austria have been quite busy in their preparations for their first appearance at a World Cup since 1998. An already talented squad has dove into the dual-national pool and secured two highly talented players.
Paul Wanner (20) of PSV Eindhoven, and Carney Chukwumeka (22) of Borussia Dortmund have officially made one-time switches with FIFA to represent Austria.
Paul Wanner is a name that Rangnick and Austria have been pursuing for quite some time. Wanner was born in Austria to a German father and an Austrian mother, and grew up in Southern Germany. Wanner was a staple in Germany’s youth teams and was Bayern Munich’s youngest ever appearance maker at just 16. In the past Rangnick has invited Wanner to train with the national team without the pressure of fully committing, but now the player feels it’s time to begin his international career.
Carney Chukwuemeka comes as more of a surprise addition. Chukwuemeka was born in Austria but moved to England at just 2. He was a big part of England’s youth national teams, and was a big part of the U19 England squad that won the U19 Euros in 2022.
Both are expected to be named in Ralf Rangnick’s squad this week for the upcoming March friendlies vs. Ghana and South Korea.
Mexico
Bad injury news out of Mexico, as Club América goalkeeper Luis Malagón tore his achiles playing for his club and will now miss the World Cup. Malagón had established himself as Mexico’s number 1 goalkeeper over the past 2 years and was expected to start this summer.
Malagón’s abscense gives head coach Javier Aguirre a big headache. There have been some talk in Mexico that perhaps veteran and World Cup legend Guillermo Ochoa could take the number 1 spot this summer in Malagón’s absence. The 40 year old Ochoa is currently playing in Cyprus with AEL Limassol.
There’s no doubting the pedigree of Ochoa at World Cup’s, and if he is part of the squad, it would incredibly be his 6th participation at a World Cup.
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