Silver Road and Golden Stripes, Yet Another Football TL

[Wings]

The 2021 edition of the World Challenge came back to Japan for the first time since 2016. Being the highest ranked team in the AFC, the Japanese thus avoided the first round, which was a blessing for New Zealand! The Kiwis defeated Iran, and while Japan would wipe them, they would get their best result since 2015 by defeating Senegal in the match for 5th place. The Senegalese had lost to the United States, who ended third in the tournament, beating hosts Japan who ended on two losses, including a nail-biter against Belgium. The Red Devils themselves won their third consecutive World Challenge with another win over Brazil. The Selecao had lost for the fourth consecutive time, and it would have to deliver at home the following year in order to avoid a fifth loss in a row...

New Zealand players relaxing after defeating Senegal.

 

[Wings]

There weren't a great many upsets in this Round of 16. Both Japan and Senegal were eliminated despite good home performances. Peru did manage to snatch an upset win in Italy thanks to a monumental error from Donnaruma, which presents them as the weakest team of the Quarter-Finals...at least on paper. The Czechs, Dutch and Brazilians easily coasted through their opposition, while the two "big" games yielded very different results. While France beat Belgium quite convincingly twice in a row, Spain and England were at each other's throats, with Spain emerging victorious with their 2-1 win in England.

France's Kylian Mbappé scores during the first leg of France vs Belgium

 

[Wings]

No real surprises for this round. Argentina looked very strong as they powered through Switzerland, ending the Nati's good run. They would face off against Brazil in the Semi-Finals, who had just slogged through the Czech Republic, barely clutching a win in each leg. The second semi-final would see two European teams clash. Despite a good resistance from Peru, who made France doubt at several moments, they had to stop their journey here. France would be joined in the Semi-Finals by the Netherlands, who convincingly beat Spain, especially after an incredible second leg at Santiago-Bernabeu.

The Oranje's Memphis Depay celebrates scoring at home against Spain.

 

[Wings]

Two different clashes on two different continents, each with extremely different results. If the European confrontation is close, with the Dutch eventually taking the win over France, the South American confrontation is much less. The Brazilians, reduced to 10 men after only 15 minutes, get completely run over by the Albiceleste in the first leg. A draw is enough for Argentina to secure qualification in the return leg, joining the Dutch in the final.

Lionel Messi in action against Brazil.

 

[Wings]

The 2022 final was expected to be a great game, of course, but the excitement was dampened because of the location. Qatar, in May, with temperatures hitting as hot as 42, it was a nightmare for everyone involved. Not to mention the stadium itself! For a capacity of 80,000, the Lusail Stadium was only filled with 35,000 "fans", the vast majority of which were not even Argentine or Dutch.
The game was thus slower than usual, with the heat greatly hampering the players. The first concrete action actually turned into a goal, with De Paul finding Messi in the Dutch box. The veteran striker crucified Cillessen with an expert shot, giving Argentina the lead. Argentina kept on trying to press their advantage, with a good run by Lo Celso finding Messi again, but this time his strike was deviated by the Dutch keeper.
A few minutes after that, a long shot by Martinez was knocked out of bounds by de Ligt's back, giving the Albiceleste a corner. Expertly taken by Messi, this one found Tagliafico who headed the ball past Cillessen, giving a 2-0 lead to the Dutch.
The latter didn't go down without a fight. Merely four minutes after Tagliafico's goal, Gakpo gave a good ball to de Jong, who managed to swing past Martinez (the keeper this time) and make it 2-1. Initially declared offside, it was revealed by VAR that Molina had touched the ball, voluntarily or not, before it arrived to de Jong. As such, the Emirati referee decided to let the goal stand.
It was on this scoreline that the two teams left each other at half-time.
By then, temperatures had cooled to a "mere" 36. Argentina were once again in the lead, pressing advantages on the sides where they were decimating. After a first failure by Di Maria, it was Lo Celso who found the opposing net, his strike from 22 metres beating Cillessen for the third time in the evening.
The Dutch did try all they could, with Depay trying his luck from afar, only to see Martinez saving the 3-2 ball. Another attempt by Lang would end up also being saved by the Argentine keeper. This would be the Dutch last big chance of the night, right after the 80th minute.
The last ten minutes were exhausting for both sides, and the final whistle came as a mercy. Argentina thus won their fifth Nations League, and giving Messi a well-deserved intercontinental title.

Spoiler

Lionel Messi scores the first goal of the game.

Dutch players celebrate their goal.

Messi celebrates as he finally wins a Nations League title.

 

[Wings]

Winners: Argentina - 5th title
Top Scorer: Lionel Messi (ARG) - 13 goals
Top Assists: Declan Rice (ENG) - 5 assists

2022-23 Participants:
Europe: Belgium (29), France (51), England (66), Spain (66), Italy (67), Netherlands (49), Portugal (39), Denmark (36), Germany (68), Croatia (27), Switzerland (19), Wales (11), Sweden (46), Serbia (8), Poland (28), Ukraine (15)
South America: Brazil (68), Argentina (66), Uruguay (48), Colombia (28), Peru (9), Chile (22), Peru (10)
North America: Mexico (44), United States (25)
Africa: Senegal (9), Morocco (7), Tunisia (12), Nigeria (11)
Asia: Iran (6), Japan (13), South Korea (7)

Final Location: Beijing National Stadium, Beijing
Groups & Seeding
Group A: Brazil, Denmark, Wales, Serbia
Group B: Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Poland
Group C: Italy, Portugal, Morocco, Chile
Group D: Spain, Switzerland, Senegal, South Korea
Group E: Argentina, Uruguay, Japan, Tunisia
Group F: Netherlands, Mexico, Iran, Ukraine
Group G: France, Croatia, Colombia, Czech Republic
Group H: England, United States, Peru, Nigeria

 

[Wings]

Group A: 1. Algeria 2. Scotland 3. Curacao 4. Albania
Group B: 1. Slovenia 2. Russia 3. Egypt 4. Canada
Group C: 1. Northern Ireland 2. Ghana 3. United Arab Emirates 4. North Macedonia
Group D: 1. Ireland 2. PR China 3. Montenegro 4. Qatar
Group E: 1. Mali 2. Cameroon 3. Morocco 4. Syria
Group F: 1. Finland 2. Slovakia 3. South Africa 4. Burkina Faso
Group G: 1. Australia 2. Hungary 3. Bulgaria 4. El Salvador
Group H: 1. DR Congo 2. Costa Rica 3. Iraq 4. Norway
Group I: 1. South Korea 2. Greece 3. Honduras 4. Uganda
Group J: 1. Romania 2. Bolivia 3. Saudi Arabia 4. Jamaica
Group K: 1. Czech Republic 2. Ivory Coast 3. Cape Verde 4. Paraguay
Group L: 1. Iceland 2. Ecuador 3. Guinea 4. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ivory Coast - Romania 2-1 / 2-0
United States - Portugal 2-3 / 1-0
Iran - Colombia 3-2 / 0-4
PR China - Slovenia 1-1 / 0-1
Ecuador - DR Congo 1-3 / 0-3
Bolivia - Ireland 1-1 / 0-12
Ghana - Australia 1-4 / 0-1
Senegal - South Korea 2-2 / 1-2
Hungary - Algeria 0-2 / 0-0
Wales - Czech Republic 2-0 / 0-2 aet 2-3 pen
Scotland - Northern Ireland 2-1 / 0-1
Russia - Iceland 1-0 / 2-1
Cameroon - Finland 2-1 / 3-2
Greece - Uruguay 1-0 / 0-2
Costa Rica - Austria 2-1 / 0-0
Slovakia - Mali 1-1 / 1-1 aet 2-4 pen

Costa Rica - Northern Ireland 2-0 / 1-2
Portugal - South Korea 3-1 / 0-2
Algeria - Uruguay 1-1 / 0-2
Mali - Slovenia 5-0 / 2-3
Ivory Coast - Czech Republic 0-0 / 0-3
Colombia - DR Congo 2-2 / 0-4
Australia - Ireland 2-0 / 2-1
Cameroon - Russia 2-0 / 2-6

 

[Wings]

Things did not go as planned for Russia. Favorites against the Congo, they conceded two early goals and lost the game 2-0. Mali got an even worse deal, leading 2-1 at 50 minutes but conceded two goals from Taggart in the last ten minutes, making it a hat-trick for the Australian striker. No problems for Uruguay, who drew Costa Rica despite the loss of most of their european players (including Cavani and Suarez), while South Korea got an all-important away goal despite the loss against the Czech titleholders.

Australian celebrations after defeating Mali in Bamako

 

[Wings]

Russia nearly managed to comeback against the Congolese, but were missing the last goal to put them through. As such, the Congolese were the last african squad to remain, with Mali holding a goaless draw against Australia and being eliminated from the tournament. Uruguay had no problems in moving on, squashing Costa Rica, while the Czechs and Koreans had a big confrontation from which the Czechs snatched a draw and qualified for the next round, where they'd face Australia. Uruguay on the other hand would go against the DR Congo to get a shot at their first World League title.

*DRC wins 3-2 on agg.

Uruguayan players celebrate qualifying for the Semi-Finals

 

[Wings]

The same exact reuslts would come about in the World League. Indeed, the first game saw Uruguay triumph over the DR Congo by a single goal, although this margin could have been much higher if the Uruguayans had been playing with all their star players, instead only playing with their Asian and American-based roster. The Czechs gave themselves quite a fright, being led by Australia for an entire half, but substitute Masopust would give them the goal they needed to draw and hopefully turn things around a week later, in Melbourne.

Czech players celebrate equalizing against Australia

 

[Wings]

No surprises during the return leg of the World League. Uruguay were on fire with their main roster as they completely wrecked the DR Congo, heading towards their first ever final. There, they'd meet Australia, who beat the Czech Republic, tired after a long season and an even longer flight all the way to Melbourne, as they put up an unrecognizable performance in the Cricket Ground.

Australian players head towards their 4th final in their history, in Barranquilla

 

[Wings]

Public was once more allowed in Barranquilla as Uruguay and Australia faced off in the final of the World League. Unfortunately for the Wallabies, only a handful of Aussie fans attended, while the Uruguayans could count on five thousand Celeste fans present in the coastal colombian city, ready to chase down the first World League title for Uruguay. And the Celeste started slow, not giving the Australians any possibilities of scoring, but not creating any chances till the 23rd minute, with Luis Suarez seeing his shot blocked by Matthew Ryan. A few minutes later, Cavani would take a shot at goal, but he too would miss, blowing his shot past the right post. Australia would score a chance before half-time, but Aaron Mooy, who had done a decent run through the Uruguayan defense, came too short as Godin stripped away the ball before he could go all the way with it. And to add insule to injury, Uruguay got the last chance of the first half, with Caceres' header being saved yet again by Ryan, keeping the game level.
Uruguay didn't slow down during the second half, instead accelerating it as they pushed forwards, bringing the whole block forwards as well. Slowly but surely, the Aussies were pushed back, until it finally cracked. A ball sent by De la Cruz found Valverde, which crossed the ball straight to Cavani. The Manchester United forward didn't need a second chance as he sent the ball into the back of Ryan's net, scoring Uruguay's first goal of the game. The Celeste didn't give themselves some room to breathe though, as they continued to push forwards, with Suarez nearly making it two, his shot gracefully going around the left post, while Valverde would also miss a good chance 80 minutes into the game. Cavani even had the chance to make it two himself a few moments later, but this time Ryan saved it on his line. Despite this, Australia never really found their mark, and Uruguay strolled to their first ever win, taking down Australia by a single goal to attach a bronze star to their crest, alongside their four golden and one silver.

Spoiler

Cavani celebrates with his teammates as he scores the first and only goal of the final

 

[Wings]

Pool 1
​

PARAGUAY - 37th Participation
Best Result - Winners (1998-99)
Team Sheet
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Estadio Manuel Ferreira, Asuncion / Estadio Arsenio Erico, Asuncion / Estadio General Pablo Rojas, Asuncion
Round of 16 - Estadio Dr. Nicolas Leoz, Asuncion
Quarter-Finals - Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asuncion
Semi-Finals - Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asuncion
Reserve - Estadio Parque del Guaira, Villarrica

NIGERIA - 31st Participation
Best Result - Winners (1989-90)
Team Sheet
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Yakubu Gowan Stadium, Port Harcourt / Enyimba International Stadium, Aba / Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin
Round of 16 - Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo
Quarter-Finals - National Stadium, Abuja
Semi-Finals - National Stadium, Abuja
Reserve - Lafia Township Stadium, Lafia

AUSTRALIA - 38th Participation
Best Result - Winners (1990-91, 2006-07)
Team Sheet
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney / Campbelltown Stadium, Campbelltown / Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Round of 16 - AAMI Park, Melbourne
Quarter-Finals - Stadium Australia, Sydney
Semi-Finals - Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Reserve - Central Coast Stadium, Gosford

SOUTH KOREA - 44th Participation
Best Result - Finalists
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Pohang Steel Yard, Pohang / Gimcheon Stadium, Sangju / Daegu Stadium, Daegu
Round of 16 - Ulsan Munsu Stadium, Ulsan
Quarter-Finals - Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju
Semi-Finals - Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul
Reserve - Guus Hiddink Stadium, Gwangju

HUNGARY - 34th Participation
Best Result - Finalists (2017-18)
Team Sheet
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Sostoi Stadium, Szekesfehervar / Pancho Arena, Felcsut / Varosi Stadion, Mezokovesd
Round of 16 - Groupama Arena, Budapest
Quarter-Finals - Puskas Arena, Budapest
Semi-Finals - Puskas Arena, Budapest
Reserve - Bozsik Arena, Budapest

SLOVAKIA - 19th Participation
Best Result - Semi-Finals
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Tehelne pole, Bratislava / Stadion Pod Dubnom, Zilina / MOL Arena, Dunajska Streda
Round of 16 - Tehelne pole, Bratislava
Quarter-Finals - Tehelne pole, Bratislava
Semi-Finals - Tehelne pole, Bratislava
Reserve - Tehelne pole, Bratislava

TURKEY - 27th Participation
Best Result - Semi-Finals
Team Sheet
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Sivas Stadyumu, Sivas / Alanya Oba Stadyumu, Alanya / Turk Telekom Stadyumu, Istanbul
Round of 16 - Vodafone Park, Istanbul
Quarter-Finals - Faith Terim Stadyumu, Istanbul
Semi-Finals - Ataturk Olimpiyat Stadyumu, Istanbul
Reserve - Sukru Saracoglu Stadyumu, Istanbul

VENEZUELA - 16th Participation
Best Result - Semi-Finals
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Estadio Olimpico, Caracas / Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristobal / Estadio Metropolitano de Lara, Cabudare
Round of 16 - Estadio Olimpico, Caracas
Quarter-Finals - Estadio Jose Pachencho Romero, Maracabio
Semi-Finals - Estadio Jose Pachencho Romero, Maracabio
Reserve - Estadio Jose Pachencho Romero, Maracabio

Pool 2
​

RUSSIA - 16th Participation
Best Result - Quarter-Finals
Team Sheet
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - RZD Arena, Moscow / Kazan Arena, Kazan / Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi
Round of 16 - Otkrytie Arena, Moscow
Quarter-Finals - Gazprom Arena, Saint-Petersburg
Semi-Finals - Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
Reserve - Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

QATAR - 8th Participation
Best Result - Round of 32
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Jassim-bin-Hamad Stadium, Doha / Abdallah-ben-Khalifa Stadium, Doha / Ahmed-ben-Ali Stadium, Doha
Round of 16 - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha
Quarter-Finals - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha
Semi-Finals - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha
Reserve - Khalifa International Stadium, Doha

NORWAY - 26th Participation
Best Result - Quarter-Finals
Team Sheet
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Aker Stadion, Molde / Intility Arena, Oslo / Lerkendal Stadion, Trondheim
Round of 16 - Aspmyra Stadion, Bodo
Quarter-Finals - Ullevaal, Oslo
Semi-Finals - Ullevaal, Oslo
Reserve - Kristiansund Stadion, Kristiansand

COSTA RICA - 21st Participation
Best Result - Semi-Finals
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Estadio Ricardo Saprissa, San Jose / Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero, Heredia / Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, Alajuela
Round of 16 - Estadio Nacional, San Jose
Quarter-Finals - Estadio Nacional, San Jose
Semi-Finals - Estadio Nacional, San Jose
Reserve - Estadio Nacional, San Jose

ROMANIA - 29th Participation
Best Result - Semi-Finals
Team Sheet
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Arena Nationala, Bucharest / Stadionul Ion Oblemenco, Craiova / Stadionul Silviu Ploesteanu, Sfantu Gheorghe
Round of 16 - Stadionul Dr. Constantin Radulescu, Cluj-Napoca
Quarter-Finals - Arena Nationala, Bucharest
Semi-Finals - Arena Nationala, Bucharest
Reserve - Stadionul Clinceni, Clinceni

EGYPT - 45th Participation
Best Result - Winners (1993-94)
Team Sheet
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Port-Said Stadium, Port-Said / Cairo International Stadium, Cairo / Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria
Round of 16 - Cairo International Stadium, Cairo
Quarter-Finals - Cairo International Stadium, Cairo
Semi-Finals - Cairo International Stadium, Cairo
Reserve - Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND - 32nd Participation
Best Result - Winners (1992-93)
Team Sheet
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Tallaght Stadium, Dublin / Dalymount Park, Dublin / Oriel Park, Dundalk
Round of 16 - Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Quarter-Finals - Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Semi-Finals - Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Reserve - Aviva Stadium, Dublin

GREECE - 45th Participation
Best Result - Finalists
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Kleanthis-Vikeldis Stadium, Thessaloniki / Olympic Stadium, Athens / Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium, Athens
Round of 16 - Toumba Stadium, Thessaloniki
Quarter-Finals - Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus
Semi-Finals - Olympic Stadium, Athens
Reserve - Theodoros Kolokotronis Stadium, Tripoli

Pool 3
​

SCOTLAND - 34th Participation
Best Result - Winners (1978-79, 1980-81)
Team Sheet
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Easter Road, Edinburgh / Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen / McDiarmid Park, Perth
Round of 16 - Celtic Park, Glasgow
Quarter-Finals - Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow
Semi-Finals - Hampden Park, Glasgow
Reserve - Almondvale Stadium, Livingston

JAMAICA - 20th Participation
Best Result - Quarter-Finals
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Independence Park, Kingston / Waterhouse Stadium, Kingston / Drax Hall Sports Complex, Saint Ann's Bay
Round of 16 - Independence Park, Kingston
Quarter-Finals - Independence Park, Kingston
Semi-Finals - Independence Park, Kingston
Reserve - Independence Park, Kingston

NORTHERN IRELAND - 32nd Participation
Best Result - Winners (1981-82)
Team Sheet
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Windsor Park, Belfast / Windsor Park, Belfast / The Showgrounds, Coleraine
Round of 16 - Windsor Park, Belfast
Quarter-Finals - Windsor Park, Belfast
Semi-Finals - Windsor Park, Belfast
Reserve -Windsor Park, Belfast

GHANA - 37th Participation
Best Result - Finalists
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Accra Sports Stadium, Accra / Accra Sports Stadium, Accra / Kumasi Sports Stadium, Kumasi
Round of 16 - Accra Sports Stadium, Accra
Quarter-Finals - Accra Sports Stadium, Accra
Semi-Finals - Accra Sports Stadium, Accra
Reserve - Accra Sports Stadium, Accra

ICELAND - 13th Participation
Best Result - Quarter-Finals
Team Sheet
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Laugardalsvollur, Reykjavik / Vodafonevollurinn, Reykjavik / Kaplakriki, Hafnarfjordur
Round of 16 - Laugardalsvollur, Reykjavik
Quarter-Finals - Laugardalsvollur, Reykjavik
Semi-Finals - Laugardalsvollur, Reykjavik
Reserve - Laugardalsvollur, Reykjavik

CAMEROON - 38th Participation
Best Result - Finalists
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Stade de la Reunification, Douala / Mankon Municipal Stadium, Bamenda / Stade Roumde Adija, Garoua
Round of 16 - Stade de la Reunification, Douala
Quarter-Finals - Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaounde
Semi-Finals - Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaounde
Reserve - Stade de la Reunification, Douala

ECUADOR - 23rd Participation
Best Result - Winners (2004-05)
Team Sheet
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Estadio de la Liga Deportiva Universitaria, Quito / Estadio Ruminahui, Sangolqui / Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa, Quito
Round of 16 - Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo, Guayaquil
Quarter-Finals - Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa, Quito
Semi-Finals - Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa, Quito
Reserve - Estadio George Capwell, Guayaquil

FINLAND - 26th Participation
Best Result - Finalists
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Olympiastadion, Helsinki / Bolt Arena, Helsinki / Veritas Stadion, Turku
Round of 16 - Olympiastadion, Helsinki
Quarter-Finals - Olympiastadion, Helsinki
Semi-Finals - Olympiastadion, Helsinki
Reserve - Olympiastadion, Helsinki

Pool 4
​

IVORY COAST - 35th Participation
Best Result -
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan / Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan / Stade Auguste-Denise, San Pedro
Round of 16 - Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan
Quarter-Finals - Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan
Semi-Finals - Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan
Reserve - Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - 10th Participation
Best Result - Finalists
Team Sheet
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Olimpijski Stadion Kosevo, Sarajevo / Gradski Stadion, Banja Luka / Olimpijski Stadion Kosevo, Sarajevo
Round of 16 - Olimpijski Stadion Kosevo, Sarajevo
Quarter-Finals - Olimpijski Stadion Kosevo, Sarajevo
Semi-Finals - Olimpijski Stadion Kosevo, Sarajevo
Reserve - Olimpijski Stadion Kosevo, Sarajevo

CANADA - 15th Participation
Best Result - Quarter-Finals
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Tim Hortons Stadium, Hamilton / Wanderers Ground, Halifax / ATCO Stadium, Calgary
Round of 16 - Olympic Stadium, Montreal
Quarter-Finals - BC Place, Vancouver
Semi-Finals - Olympic Stadium, Montreal
Reserve - Olympic Stadium, Montreal

MALI - 21st Participation
Best Result - Semi-Finals
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako / Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako / Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako
Round of 16 - Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako
Quarter-Finals - Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako
Semi-Finals - Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako
Reserve - Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako

SAUDI ARABIA - 26th Participation
Best Result - Finalists
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh / King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh / King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah
Round of 16 - King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh
Quarter-Finals - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah
Semi-Finals - King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh
Reserve - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah

BURKINA FASO - 14th Participation
Best Result - Semi-Finals
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Stade du 4 Aout, Ouagadougou / Stade du 4 Aout, Ouagadougou / Stade de la SONABEL, Ouagadougou
Round of 16 - Stade du 4 Aout, Ouagadougou
Quarter-Finals - Stade du 4 Aout, Ouagadougou
Semi-Finals - Stade du 4 Aout, Ouagadougou
Reserve - Stade du 4 Aout, Ouagadougou

HONDURAS - 30th Participation
Best Result - Quarter-Finals
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula / Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula / Estadio Tiburcio Carias Andino, Tegucigalpa
Round of 16 - Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula
Quarter-Finals - Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula
Semi-Finals - Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula
Reserve - Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula

EL SALVADOR - 7th Participation
Best Result - Round of 16
Stadiums Used:
Group Stage - Estadio Cuscatlan, San Salvador / Estadio Cuscatlan, San Salvador / Estadio Cuscatlan, San Salvador
Round of 16 - Estadio Cuscatlan, San Salvador
Quarter-Finals - Estadio Cuscatlan, San Salvador
Semi-Finals - Estadio Cuscatlan, San Salvador
Reserve - Estadio Cuscatlan, San Salvador

Group A
Turkey
Egypt
Scotland
Honduras

Group B
Slovakia
Romania
Northern Ireland
Mali

Group C
Australia
Republic of Ireland
Ecuador
Saudi Arabia

Group D
Hungary
Costa Rica
Ghana
Bosnia and Herzegovina

Group E
South Korea
Norway
Cameroon
Canada

Group F
Venezuela
Russia
Finland
Burkina Faso

Group G
Nigeria
Greece
Iceland
El Salvador

Group H
Paraguay
Qatar
Jamaica
Ivory Coast

 

[Wings]

The World League Group Stages were not so full of surprises as their Nations League counterparts. For the most part, the favorites did manage to get out, although a lot of situations were less clear-cut, especially in Groups A and C, the supposed groups of death. Scotland and Northern Ireland struggled, failing to get out of groups or even snatch a Conference League spot, while the Republic of Ireland did manage to get through, although Ecuador topped that group.
For Hungary, their good run at the Euros was confirmed with a direct slot into the Round of 16, while Canada proved they were on the upswing by validating their ticket as well. Russia did likewise, along with Iceland who had until then only disappointed following their 2018 World Cup run. Finally, future WC hosts Qatar were baffled as they took last place in their group, topped by the Ivory Coast.

TUR - EGY 0-0 / 1-1
TUR - SCO 5-1 / 2-1
TUR - HON 4-1 / 4-0
EGY - SCO 2-0 / 3-1
EGY - HON 2-2 / 0-2
SCO - HON 1-0 / 1-1

SVK - ROM 1-0 / 1-2
SVK - NIR 1-1 / 3-1
SVK - MLI 1-1 / 1-2
ROM - NIR 1-1 / 1-1
ROM - MLI 3-0 / 0-0
NIR - MLI 3-0 / 0-4

AUS - IRL 3-0 / 1-2
AUS - ECU 2-3 / 2-3
AUS - KSA 0-0 / 4-2
IRL - ECU 0-1 / 2-2
IRL - KSA 2-0 / 3-0
ECU - KSA 2-1 / 1-0

HUN - CRC 4-0 / 3-1
HUN - GHA 6-0 / 0-0
HUN - BOS 0-1 / 3-0
CRC - GHA 1-1 / 2-2
CRC - BOS 1-1 / 0-3
GHA - BOS 2-1 / 3-0

KOR - NOR 1-0 / 1-1
KOR - CMR 1-1 / 0-3
KOR - CAN 0-0 / 1-3
NOR - CMR 3-2 / 3-1
NOR - CAN 2-2 / 1-5
CMR - CAN 2-2 / 1-2

VEN - RUS 0-3 / 1-3
VEN - FIN 1-0 / 2-0
VEN - BFA 1-1 / 5-2
RUS - FIN 2-2 / 1-0
RUS - BFA 2-1 / 1-0
FIN - BFA 3-0 / 7-2

NGA - GRE 4-4 / 2-3
NGA - ISL 5-1 / 3-4
NGA - SLV 1-0 / 2-1
GRE - ISL 0-2 / 1-1
GRE - SLV 0-1 / 3-2
ISL - SLV 3-0 / 3-0

PAR - QAT 2-2 / 1-0
PAR - JAM 2-0 / 1-3
PAR - CIV 0-0 / 3-3
QAT - JAM 1-1 / 0-0
QAT - CIV 0-1 / 1-3
JAM - CIV 1-1 / 0-1

Transfer to FIFA Conference League:
Honduras (1)
Slovakia (1)
Australia (1)
Bosnia and Herzegovina (1)
South Korea (1)
Finland (1)
Greece (1)
Jamaica (1)

Enter directly in the Round of 16:
Turkey - Romania - Ecuador - Hungary - Canada - Russia - Iceland - Ivory Coast

Playoffs:
Tunisia vs Paraguay
Portugal vs Ghana
Morocco vs Mali
Uruguay vs Republic of Ireland
Germany vs Nigeria
Ukraine vs Egypt
Algeria vs Venezuela
Colombia vs Norway

 

[Wings]

Winners: Uruguay - 2nd title
Top Scorer: Mohamed Salah (EGY) - 7 goals

2022-23 Participants:
Europe: Austria (35), Norway (27), Hungary (35), Turkey (28), Scotland (35), Ireland (33), Greece (46), Slovakia (20), Romania (30), Bosnia and Herzegovina (11), Northern Ireland (33), Finland (27), Iceland (14), North Macedonia (10), Slovenia (19)
South America: Ecuador (24), Paraguay (38), Venezuela (17)
North America: Costa Rica (22), Canada (16), Panama (12), Jamaica (21)
Africa: Cameroon (39), Egypt (46), Algeria (32), Mali (22), Ivory Coast (36), Burkina Faso (15), Ghana (38)
Asia: Qatar (9), Saudi Arabia (27)
Oceania: Australia (39)

Final Location: Stadium Australia, Sydney
Groups & Seeding
Group A: Norway, Canada, Venezuela, Jamaica
Group B: Australia, Turkey, Burkina Faso, Slovenia
Group C: Costa Rica, Greece, Paraguay, Northern Ireland
Group D: Cameroon, Ireland, Ivory Coast, Panama
Group E: Algeria, Ecuador, Slovakia, Iceland
Group F: Egypt, Scotland, Romania, Finland
Group G: Hungary, Mali, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia
Group H: Austria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Ghana

 

[Wings]

Pool 1
​

DR CONGO
Stadiums Registered: Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa / Stade TP Mazembe, Lubumbashi / Stade Joseph-Kabila, Kindu

SLOVENIA
Stadiums Registered: Stozice Stadium, Ljubljana / Fazanerija, Murska Sobota / Stadion Ljudski vrt, Maribor

MONTENEGRO
Stadiums Registered: Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica / Stadion Kraj Bistrice, Niksic / Stadion Tusko Polje, Tuzi

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Stadiums Registered: Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi / Mohamed-Bin-Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi / Baniyas Stadium, Abu Dhabi / Al-Rashid Stadium, Dubai

ALBANIA
Stadiums Registered: Arena Kombetare, Tirana / Niko Dovana Stadium, Durres / Loro-Borici Stadium, Shkoder / Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana

IRAQ
Stadiums Registered: Basra International Stadium, Basra

PR CHINA
Stadiums Registered: National Stadium, Beijing / Guangdong Olympic Stadium, Guangzhou / Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre, Nanjing / Tianhe Stadium, Guangzhou / Pudong Football Stadium, Shanghai

NORTH MACEDONIA
Stadiums Registered: Tose Proeski Arena, Skopje / Ecolog Arena, Tetovo / Stadion Cair, Skopje

Pool 2
​

SOUTH AFRICA
Stadiums Registered: FNB Stadium, Johannesburg / Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town / Lotus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria / Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban / Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg / ABSA Stadium, Durban

PANAMA
Stadiums Registered: Estadio Rommel Fernandez, Panama City / Estadio Universitario, Panama City / Estadio Maracana de Panama, Panama City

BULGARIA
Stadiums Registered: Vasil-Levski National Stadium, Sofia / Ludogorets Arena, Razgrad / Lokomotiv Stadium, Plovdiv / Balgarska Armia Stadium, Sofia

GUINEA
Stadiums Registered: Stade General Lasana Conte, Conakry / Stade du 28 Septembre, Conakry / Stade de l'Amitie, Kamsar

CAPE VERDE
Stadiums Registered: Estadio Nacional, Praia / Estadio Municipal, Mindelo

CURACAO
Stadiums Registered: Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad / Dr. Antoine Maduro Stadium, Willemstad

OMAN
Stadiums Registered: Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat / Seeb Stadium, Seeb / Al-Saada Sports Complex, Salalah

SYRIA
Stadiums Registered: Amman International Stadium, Amman (JORDAN)

Pool 3
​

ISRAEL
Stadiums Registered: Bloomfield Stadium, Tel-Aviv / Sammy Ofer Stadium, Haifa

BOLIVIA
Stadiums Registered: Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz / Estadio Municipal, El Alto

UZBEKISTAN
Stadiums Registered: Pakhtakor Central Stadium, Tashkent

UGANDA
Stadiums Registered: Mandela National Stadium, Kampala / Muteesa II Stadium, Kampala

GABON
Stadiums Registered: Stade d'Angondje, Libreville / Stade Henri-Sylvoz, Moanda

BENIN
Stadiums Registered: Stade de l'Amitie, Cotonou / Stade Municipal, Parakou

ZAMBIA
Stadiums Registered: Heroes National Stadium, Lusaka / Dag Hammarskjold Stadium, Ndola

ARMENIA
Stadiums Registered: Hrazdan Stadium, Yerevan / Nairi Stadium, Yerevan

Pool 4
​

BELARUS
Stadium Registered: Dynama Stadium, Minsk

HAITI
Stadium Registered: National Stadium, Port-au-Prince

GEORGIA
Stadium Registered: Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi

VIET-NAM
Stadium Registered: My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi

CONGO
Stadium Registered: Stade Municipal de Kintele, Brazzaville

BAHRAIN
Stadium Registered: Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa

JORDAN
Stadium Registered: Amman International Stadium, Amman

LUXEMBOURG
Stadium Registered: Stade de Luxembourg, Luxembourg

​

Group A
Iraq
Curacao
Gabon
Luxembourg

Group B
Albania
Oman
Uganda
Bahrain

Group C
Montenegro
Panama
Israel
Congo

Group D
PR China
Cape Verde
Armenia
Georgia

Group E
Slovenia
Bulgaria
Zambia
Haiti

Group F
North Macedonia
Guinea
Benin
Belarus

Group G
United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia
Bolivia
Jordan

Group H
DR Congo
Syria
Uzbekistan
Vietnam

---

That's it for the intros, now till September for the start of the games!

 

[Wings]

Group A: 1. Iraq, 2. Curacao, 3. Luxembourg, 4. Gabon
Group B: 1. Albania, 2. Oman, 3. Bahrain, 4. Uganda
Group C: 1. Montenegro, 2. Israel, 3. Panama, 4. Congo
Group D: 1. PR China, 2. Georgia, 3. Cape Verde, 4. Armenia
Group E: 1. Bulgaria, 2. Slovenia, 3. Zambia, 4. Haiti
Group F: 1. North Macedonia, 2. Guinea, 3. Benin, 4. Belarus
Group G: 1. Saudi Arabia, 2. Bolivia, 3. United Arab Emirates, 4. Jordan
Group H: 1. DR Congo, 2. Vietnam, 3. Syria, 4. Uzbekistan

1st Round:
Australia v Georgia 8-2 / 1-1
Slovakia v Curacao 3-0 / 5-0
Greece v Israel 2-0 / 2-2
Jamaica v Bolivia 4-2 / 0-0
Honduras v Oman 0-1 / 0-2
Bosnia and Herzegovina v Slovenia 0-0 / 3-2
South Korea v Vietnam 2-1 / 2-0
Finland v Guinea 6-0 / 1-0

2nd Round:
Australia v Saudi Arabia 1-1 / 0-1
Slovakia v North Macedonia 0-0 / 0-4
Greece v PR China 1-0 / 2-0
Jamaica v Montenegro 0-4 / 0-0
Oman v Bulgaria 1-1 / 0-0
Bosnia and Herzegovina v Iraq 2-2 / 2-1
South Korea v DR Congo 5-0 / 0-1
Finland v Albania 4-2 / 0-0

Quarter-Finals:
Saudi Arabia v North Macedonia 2-2 / 0-2
Greece v Montenegro 4-0 / 0-2
Bulgaria v Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-4 / 0-1
South Korea v Finland 3-1 / 2-0

Semi-Finals:
North Macedonia v Greece 3-0 / 0-0
Bosnia and Herzegovina v South Korea 2-0 / 1-1

Final (Gelora Bung Kano Stadium, Jakarta)
North Macedonia v Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0 aet

Winners: North Macedonia - 1st title

Final Location: Diego Maradona Stadium, La Plata
2022-23 Participants
Europe: Albania (2), Montenegro (2), Bulgaria (2), Israel (2), Georgia (2), Armenia (2), Luxembourg (2), Belarus (2)
South America: Bolivia (2)
North America: El Salvador (1), Honduras (2), Curacao (2), Haiti (1)
Africa: DR Congo (2), Cape Verde (2), Gabon (2), Guinea (2), Zambia (2), Uganda (2), Benin (2)
Asia: South Korea (2), United Arab Emirates (2), Iraq (2), Oman (2), Uzbekistan (2), PR China (2), Bahrain (2), Jordan (2), Syria (2), Palestine (1), Kyrgyzstan (1), Vietnam (2)

Group A: El Salvador, Bulgaria, Zambia, Uganda
Group B: South Africa, Bolivia, Guinea, Palestine
Group C: Iraq, Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Vietnam
Group D: Cape Verde, PR China, Syria, Belarus
Group E: DR Congo, Gabon, Haiti, Luxembourg
Group F: Montenegro, Oman, Curacao, Kyrgyzstan
Group G: Albania, Israel, Georgia, Armenia
Group H: United Arab Emirates, Honduras, Jordan, Benin

 

[Wings]

No surprised in Group A. Brazil proved particularly dominant by winning all their games, and while Denmark did struggle somewhat, they still did the necessary by beating Wales in Cardiff, allowing them to take the second seed from the group. As for the dragons, with their win at home over Serbia, it at least secured them a spot in the World League instead of painfully dropping out of all international competitions like Serbia.

The all-European group didn't disappoint. In the middle of the chaos, Germany pulled ahead of Belgium, by a single point, thanks to their win in Ghent. With this loss, Belgium wouldn't be able to come back, even despite the German defeat in Warsaw, and only could clinch second place. As for Sweden, the disaster continues: no World Cup and no World League for them.

Italy did not console themselves after missing out on the World Cup. With easy points let through here and there, the Squadra Azzura completed a horrid season by being knocked out of the Nations League to Chile's benefit. Worse, they only made it to the World League on direct confrontations against Morocco. As for Portugal, despite some unfortunate performances against Chile (they only beat Morocco), their good record allowed them to advance as first seed.

No problem for the two Europeans, Spain and Switzerland, in a group considered tricky. Spain were above the competition despite the scorelines indicating close games, while Switzerland followed close behind. Senegal and South Korea traded blows, but the Koreans' win against Switzerland at home allowed them to continue international competition in the spring.

Italy struggle against Portugal in Group C.

Transfer to World League:
Wales (31st participation)
Poland (28)
Italy (5)
South Korea (45)

 

[Wings]

Group E saw peculiar things happen. Argentina easily cleared the group, but behind them, it was chaos. Japan were the only one to take a game off Argentina, but did not manage to beat Tunisia. As for Uruguay, they couldn't even grab a victory despite losing only twice, therefore dropping out! Tunisia, yet again, found themselves in the Round of 16, a somewhat common occurrence in recent years.

Group F was no less chaotic. The Netherlands going from high high to low low, Mexico took advantage of this with their consistency and took first place. As for Ukraine, who played all their games in Poland, their last, symbolic game, against the Netherlands, gave them a much-needed win giving them the edge against Iran, who they had beat at "home" while losing "away" (Iran v Ukraine was played in Turkey).

Just like Italy, things went horridly wrong for WC titleholders France. After three straight losses, they did manage to scrape six points in the last three games to survive in the World League, but barely, taking advantage of the weakness of the Czech squad. As for Croatia, it was heaven for the defeated of 2018, who not only swept through the group, but also runners-up Colombia, notably in a 8-0 massacre at home, after two early red cards for the visitors...

Finally, Group H closed the group stages with another major European nation dropping to the Nations League! England played with fire and lost, including a humiliating defeat at Stamford Bridge against the United States. Their losing record to Peru sealed their fate, thus joining Italy and France in the consolation tournament. The Americas dominated the group, with the United States jubilant as they ended their group in first place. For Nigeria, unfortunately, the glory days seem long past...

Modric gets revenge against Griezmann in Group G.

Transfer to World League:
Japan (21st participation)
Ukraine (13)
France (11)
England (9)

Round of 16:
Netherlands v Croatia
Belgium v United States
Denmark v Mexico
Tunisia v Spain
Switzerland v Brazil
Colombia v Argentina
Chile v Germany
Peru v Portugal

 

[Wings]

For Brazil, the 2022 World Challenge was just another painful edition to add to the previous ones. At home, the Brazilians reached the final after dismantling Morocco in the Maracana, but the final would be no different from the four previous ones. In the upper bracket, their rivals Argentina had already been defeated by the United States (preventing a rematch of the WC final), setting the stage for what should have been Brazil's coronation, despite the Americans failing to replicate the upset against France, though they'd take third place by defeating the CAF representatives for 3rd place.
But in the Maracana, once again, disaster struck. France played their best football, with Kylian Mbappe scoring a hat-trick even before half-time. Luckily, there would be no repeat of the 7-1 disaster of 2014. However, with only a late goal by Vinicius to keep them afloat, Brazil saw the title slip past them once more. And this would be the last time that Brazil could get a shot at the title in the World Challenge, or, at least, in this format...

French celebrations after winning the final in Rio de Janeiro