GENEVA (AP) — The congested soccer calendar is being pushed beyond its limits by a global pandemic ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
The coronavirus outbreak is testing the wisdom of soccer’s global drive toward creating and expanding international competitions in the gaps between already busy domestic programs.
A slew of postponements this month knocked the World Cup qualifiers behind schedule before even starting in South America. Asian qualifiers now have little or no wiggle room.
FIFA said Friday that “with goodwill and flexibility from all sides, appropriate solutions will be found to allow the matches to take place in due course and with minimal disruption.