The double round of the Qatar 2022 Qualifiers, scheduled for March 26-30, is in limbo. The severe restrictions in Europe due to the pandemic make it very difficult for players to travel and so many are asking for a reprieve that doesn’t quite convince the leaders of Conmebol.
Just this Friday, at the request of FIFA, a decision had to be made on whether or not to enforce the calendar above all bans and apply the rules that in theory require clubs to give up their stars to represent in their country.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has tried to mediate with European clubs, but as far as is known his management has been unsuccessful. That would force you to give in to the delay or eventually play with those available at the time of the call, even using the players from the local tournaments.
According to TNT Sports journalist Fernando Czyz, there are seven alternatives on the table that FIFA offers Conmebol for the realization of the games.
1. That all delegations go to Europe and that matches are played in neutral locations such as Budapest, Bucharest and Athens.
2. Play all games in the United States, which has logistics and scenarios and less restrictions than in South America.
3. Take advantage of the fact that there are two fewer participants and play a Copa América, with fewer participants. This would open dates for the qualifying tournaments.
4. Play right before the tournament and enjoy concentration
5. Playing after the Copa América does not sound like the players who would come to the national team tournament from an exhausting season and would not give up their vacation.
6. That on the days September and October, instead of two games per month, three games will be played
6. That Qatar, which does not understand the economic crisis and would pay for the full travel of 10 teams, plus the logistical and health bubbles needed so that the qualifiers there are played in the stadiums that will be used in the World Cup.
What Conmebol does not want, according to the version, is a precedent like that of the Copa Libertadores final in Spain between Boca and River, as the leaders say it would be to normalize team tournaments outside the South American countries, where the income is . necessary. They trust that Infantino’s sympathy for South American football (and thus his votes) will be enough for the manager to find a solution and that it can be played on the scheduled dates.