Priyanshu Halder, New Delhi:
10 Upcoming Football Events 2022: Do you ever feel that you cannot get enough of the football madness happening every season? 2022 holds a flabbergasting series of events for the Football fans including the ever so boring international breaks. Hello and welcome to all the football fans excited for the new year. The football world witnessed many out of the blue transfers and rivalries in 2021 and is ready for the next year. We are more than happy to bring to you the top 10 happenings in the form of potential transfers and much awaited tournaments lined up for 2022.
Cameroon Will Host Africa Cup of Nations 2022 (10 Upcoming Football Events 2022)
In the tenth spot is the Africa Cup of Nations 2022. This is a biennial tournament in which multiple underrated players perform for their nation. After postponing it from 2021 to 2022, the AFCON has stirred excitement among their fans. Players like Aubameyang, Mo Salah, Mane, Mahrez, Koulibaly, etc contest in the tournament making it one of the most exciting international formats after Europe and South America. This year’s host nation is Cameroon, and it is set to take place from 9th January to 6th February 2022.
Eden Hazard Will return to Premier League (10 Upcoming Football Events 2022)
Another potential rumour in the transfer market is Eden Hazard’s return to Premier League. Even though Hazard has signed a 5-year contract with the Spanish Club Real Madrid, his performance has been nothing more than a disappointment. His primary role in the club was to cover for the loss of Ronaldo’s magnificent presence, which he was unable to do and worse, his injuries kept him from playing most of the season in 2019-20. As he is not able to sustain himself in a La Liga atmosphere, his return to his previous league, i.e., Premier League is somewhat imminent. Also, his earlier team, Lille in French League has opened a bid to buy back the Belgian in an unannounced transfer fee.
Europe’s biggest Tournament, UEFA Champions League Finals are set to take place on May 28th 2022. German Giants, Bayern Munich along with Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester City and Liverpool are the fan favourites of the league. The league’s top scorer after the Group Stages is Sebastian Haller with 10 goals in 6 games. Next year UCL will witness the knockout stages of the tournament and underdogs Ajax and LOSC Lille are also in it for the silverware.
In the seventh position falls the disappointing situation of the 2021-22 Champions League Finals to be played without FC Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, and Sevilla.
After 2003-04 season of UEFA Champions League, it is the first time the Culers have not reached the knockout stage of the UCL. Their exit marks a historic disappointment for the football fans. Also, Dortmund and Sevilla fans must watch the UCL knockouts being played without their favourite teams. Although the three have qualified for the Europa League, their fans are not happy with their disqualification.
Gareth Bale is set to leave Real Madrid in the upcoming Transfers. The Big Question is will he join another club or retire at 32?
After a yearlong stay at his earlier Premier League club, Tottenham Hotspur, the Welsh football player finishes his contract with Real Madrid in 2022. Gareth Bale denies his retirement as he still wishes to play from the Wales National team. The 32-year-old Legend’s career in his club leagues is still uncertain additionally his whereabouts in the transfer market has been nothing more than an enigma.
Moving on, 2022 holds the answer to Future Ballon d’or Top contender, Kylian Mbappe’s future in clubs: PSG OR MADRID?
After being constantly approached by Real Madrid since the 2020 transfer window, Mbappe had for a certain time thought of joining the Spanish Giants. His current morale in PSG is full of content and is not interested in leaving the club in near future. He plays alongside 7-time Ballon d’or winner Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., and Angel Di Maria. In an interview with CNN Mbappe stated, “Paris is my city, it’s where I was born, it’s where I grew up. To play for PSG, it’s an amazing feeling to play with your family and friends alongside of you.”
Erling Braut Haaland is the next generation of football, and his Transfer Rumours are the hottest topic on the football market. The transfer news the whole world of football is waiting for, Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund has been approached with offers from many European teams like Chelsea, Man Utd., Real Madrid, etc. The unstoppable youngster is out of the field for the last 2 months after suffering a critical injury and is said to be out for the rest of the year. Borussia Dortmund have reportedly said that they are willing to match the bids of the European teams and extend his contract.
The first half of the Premier League season has ended with a very riveting table standing. 2022 Will witness the intense race for top four in the Premier League. After 19 matches in the 2021-22 season of Premier League, there is no concrete sign of any fixed end result positions of the clubs. With a dominating lead Manchester City has kept on rising, Klopp’s Liverpool with an unsettled lead then a demotion still hopes for title race. Chelsea is also in the race for Top four along with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and West Ham. Manchester United with a good season start were unable to keep their wheels rolling and thus dropped down to the 6th position.
Second most priority of the upcoming year will be Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr.’s last FIFA World Cup year. The three players are set to play their last FIFA World Cup from their respective teams of Argentina, Portugal, and Brazil. Messi and Ronaldo’s last ambitions before their retirement is to lift the prestigious FIFA World Cup trophy. Both have won their Continent’s respective tournaments i.e., Copa America and Euro Cup. On the other hand, Neymar Jr. has announced that the year 2022 will mark his last word cup as he doesn’t think he will have the strength of mind to deal with football anymore. He plans to give everything in the Qatar World Cup.
Finally, the event the football world is desperate for which is the most awaited, most prestigious and with the most fan following football tournament in the world, the FIFA World Cup is set to take place in Qatar in 2022. It is set to begin from 21st November to 18th December 2022. 2018 FIFA World Cup took place in Russia and France lifted the trophy, this time they will be in the tournament to secure their trophy and many underdogs will fight for it as well.
