Philadelphia, PA - Every sporting year is an important one, but 2024 will produce a higher density of major tournaments than usual. Across the world, football is the most popular sport of all, and this will welcome in a host of top class international and domestic events.
We may be two years away from the next World Cup, but there are major tournaments taking place in Africa, Asia, and Europe. It’s an exciting time for football fans, but what does it mean for the sport?
Europe Awaits
The biggest international tournament in terms of size and global interest is the 2024 European Championships. More commonly known as Euro 24, ten cities from across the continent will host 24 competing nations.
Fans and the media will make their own football predictions in the weeks leading up to the event, which kicks off on June 14th. As for the independent view, 2020 beaten finalists England will go into the competition as favorites, closely followed by France, Germany, Spain and Portugal.
From a neutral perspective, this may be the most entertaining international tournament to watch. Euro 2024 will showcase a higher density of the best teams in the game, together with world-class players aiming to influence the outcome.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe are just three of the top stars taking part in this year’s European Championships. With an expanded format in place across Europe, this promises to be the most entertaining edition in the event’s long history.
Africa Cup of Nations
The 2024 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, or AFCON for short, runs through the second half of January, finishing with the final, which takes place on February 11th. Ivory Coast are the host nation, and they will line up alongside 23 other countries aiming to lift the trophy.
AFCON may be seen as less competitive than the Euros, but it’s arguably more entertaining. Many African countries play a more open and attacking brand of football, and this is always a big plus for neutral fans.
Morocco, who stunned the football world by reaching the semi final of the 2022 World Cup, are the joint favourite to lift the trophy together with Senegal. Ivory Coast, Algeria, Egypt and Nigeria are also expected to be strong contenders.
Among the many world class talents taking part in AFCON, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah could be the man most likely to decide the destination of the cup. A prolific striker for Liverpool in the English Premier League, his goals could take his side all the way.
Other top names to look out for at AFCON 2024 include Victor Osimhen of Nigeria, Sadio Mane of Senegal, and Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus.
AFC Asian Cup
Asia will also host a major international tournament in 2024, with the 18th edition of the AFC Asian Cup. This year’s event will clash with AFCON, as it runs from mid-January through to the final on February 10th.
Qatar, who held the 2022 World Cup, are the hosts, with 23 other countries making the trip. Japan has played in several global tournaments, and they are the favorites, followed by South Korea, Australia, and Iran. Asia isn’t the most competitive continent in World Football, and the eventual winner is likely to come from those four nations.
There should still be interest in the Asian Cup, and the action will intensify as it gets to the knockout stages. Many top class players are employed in the big leagues around Europe, so this is another competition that spectators should enjoy.
The Regular Round-Up
Those are the major international competitions taking place in 2024, but the year will also showcase its regular set of domestic leagues and cups. Europe is the focal point as far as most fans are concerned, and attention will be paid to the English Premier League, the German Bundesliga, La Liga in Spain, and Italy’s Serie A, amongst others.
European club football culminates in the final of the Champions League which takes place on June 1st this year. London’s iconic Wembley Stadium is the venue in 2024 and this historic ground will welcome the two most successful teams in Europe.
South America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania will also host intercontinental tournaments that will feature the best teams in the regions. It’s all part of an exciting year of football, and there’s so much to look forward to.
Those with just a passing interest in football may feel that they need a World Cup to truly spark interest, but that shouldn’t be the case. 2024 has shown that major international tournaments can take place outside of the biggest competition, and this promises to be an entertaining 12 months.
For those who aren’t attending a game, the major live TV broadcasters are in place to pick up the best of the live action. A thrilling year is in store, so make sure you don’t miss out.
