There are similar tournaments for other continents, yes. Perhaps the CONCACAF Gold Cup would be the equivalent for North and Central America.
WC qualifying is done on a continental basis, so it seems likely that it may already be underway in NA. In Europe it will start later this year.
Matches & scores automatically adjusted to your local time.
Ireland vs Croatia @ 2:45 EST.
There is the Africa Cup of Nations. But that one is played every two years. It’s a big deal in that part of the world.
In North America, there’s the CONCACAF Gold Cup which is (at least I assume) not nearly as important and attractive since there are only two strong nations (Mexico and USA).
South American soccer is organized in a different confederation, CONMEBOL, which holds the Copa América, which is important too and is actually the oldest of all the soccer competitions for national teams.
Qualifying is well under way in North America:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/nccamerica/standings/index.html
How long has it been since “the old Fernando Torres”, as he was just referred to, was actually the Fernando Torres Ian Darke imagines? 2 or 3 years?
Hmmm…a 1-1 draw between Italy and Spain. Seemed like a lot of yellow cards handed out in the second half. The Druidess is mildly shocked that I’m watching soccer…but she indulges me.
Sometime early in the '09/10 season with Liverpool, I think. He was great in '08/09, but I remember he was off form by the time the World Cup rolled around.
I love watching Chiellini defend. He’s tactically great, but if he has to put his body on the line, no problem.
I rue Torre’s miss after a great technical maneuver – the kind of goal he would have rutined 3/4 years ago.
Oh well – still undefeated in Eurocup finals since 2004. Both squads should go through.
Older than 1872?
Which tournament would that be? (Probably a UK thing).
2-1 Croatia at the half. This game seems a little more exciting than the others. More shots and near misses.
Now I get it. You’re referring to the first international soccer (football) game ever. I was thinking of soccer tournaments. The first Copa América was played in 1916 (at least it’s predecessor).
Irish eyes are not smiling.
Well, the Home Internationals started in 1883.
Shay Given is having an… unfortunate game.
Thursday is going to be ugly for the Irish. If they build a wall, maybe they can limit the damage, but I expect Spain to put together about 900 passes to Ireland’s 100, if Ireland is lucky.
Well that’s six games worth watching (although I didn’t enjoy Denmark), wonder if we will be saying the same after the England game ;). Was surprised by Italy, they really took the game to Spain and deserved their point…
I must say Ireland doesn’t seem to have s lot of imagination on attack.
Kuyt’s taken the most penalties of all the players that are on the team right now, but Van Persie or Huntelaar are also candidates; Van Marwijk has said that Robben can take penalties as well, after he missed one during the CL final.
I think a lot of Dutch don’t particularly like Van Bommel - I certainly don’t. Still, you have to recognize that he is a great midfielder with tons of experience and skill, rather than (or perhaps in addition to) being just some goon.
Though many of us still think ‘goon’ first when we hear the name.