KVSP 
World Cup qualifying comes to a head this week as North America, South America, Europe (for the most part), Asia and Africa will all wrap up its 2022 cycle. There are some big storylines on the table as one of Italy or Portugal won’t qualify for the World Cup while Egypt and Senegal have been pitted against each other in a clash of Liverpool teammates Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
Here are some of the top matches to watch in World Cup Qualifying this week as well as a schedule for watching/ streaming the other matches going on.
4. Ghana vs. Nigeria
Date: Friday, Mar. 25 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Live stream: ESPN+
Caesars Sportsbook Odds: Ghana +155; Draw +170; Nigeria +175
Why watch: Africa has some hotly contested ties as leg one kicks off with Ghana hosting Nigeria. Both teams have been unpredictable, but to begin a two-legged tie where only one team advances to the World Cup will hopefully bring out their best. After disappointment in the Africa Cup of Nations, are we going to be in for a bounce-back performance or will we see someone limp into Qatar?
3. Portugal vs. Turkey
Date: Thursday, Mar. 24 | Time: 3:45 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2 | Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
Caesars Sportsbook Odds: Portugal -310; Draw +375; Turkey +800
Why watch: While Portugal are favored in this match, they wouldn’t have expected to be on the playoff route for qualifying for the World Cup. A date with Italy is expected but if Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. look past Turkey, they could be in danger of being out of the World Cup.
2. Egypt vs. Senegal
Date: Friday, Mar. 25 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Live stream: ESPN+
Caesars Sportsbook Odds: Egypt +160; Draw +155; Senegal +185
Why watch: In a rematch of the AFCON final that Senegal dominated but needed a penalty shootout to win, the Lions of Teranga will want to put this away early. As an added storyline, Liverpool teammates Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane will face off again with a spot at the World Cup on the line. In what should be a hotly contested matchup, who will come out on top?
1. Mexico vs. United States
Date: Thursday, March 24 | Time: 10 p.m. ET
TV: CBS Sports Network | Live stream: Paramount+
Caesars Sportsbook Odds: Mexico -105; Draw +210; United States +305
Why watch: One of the biggest rivalries in the international game, the United States will travel to Estadio Azteca to face El Tri. The United States will hope to end their winless streak in World Cup qualifying at the Azteca but it will be a tough job versus a stout defensive Mexico side. The return of Gio Reyna will help but which team’s injuries will have a larger impact?
Listen below and follow In Soccer We Trust: A CBS Sports Soccer Podcast where three times a week your three favorite former USMNT players cover everything you could possibly want to know about the beautiful game in the United States.
Honorable mentions
(All times U.S./Eastern)
Thursday, March 24:
- AFC: Australia vs. Japan, 5:10 a.m. (Paramount+)
- AFC: Lebenon vs. Syria, 8 a.m. (Paramount+)
- AFC: Vietnam vs. Oman, 8 a.m. (Paramount+)
- AFC: China vs. Saudi Arabia, 11 a.m. (Paramount+)
- AFC: Iraq vs. United Arab Emirates, 1 p.m. (Paramount+)
- UEFA: Italy vs. North Macedonia, 3:45 p.m. (ESPN+)
- UEFA: Wales vs. Austria, 3:45 p.m. (ESPN+)
- UEFA: Sweden vs. Czech Republic, 3:45 p.m. (ESPN+)
- CONCACAF: Jamacia vs. El Salvador, 7:05 p.m. (Paramount+)
- CONCACAF: Panama vs. Honduras, 9:05 p.m. (Paramount+)
- CONCACAF: Costa Rica vs. Canada, 10:05 p.m. (Paramount+)
- COMENBOL: Colombia vs. Bolivia, 7:30 p.m. (fuboTV — Try for free)
- COMENBOL: Paraguay vs. Ecuador, 7:30 p.m. (fuboTV — Try for free)
- COMENBOL: Uruguay vs. Peru, 7:30 p.m. (fuboTV — Try for free)
- COMENBOL: Brazil vs. Chile, 7:30 p.m. (fuboTV — Try for free)
Friday, March 25:
- CAF: Congo DR vs. Morocco, 11 a.m. (ESPN+)
- CAF: Cameroon vs. Algeria, 1 p.m. (ESPN+)
- CAF: Mali vs. Tunisia. 1 p.m. (ESPN+)
- COMENBOL: Argentina vs. Venezuela, 7:30 p.m. (fuboTV — Try for free)
Sunday, March 27:
- CONCACAF: Canada vs. Jamacia, 4:05 p.m. (Paramount+)
- CONCACAF: El Salvador vs. Costa Rica, 5:05 p.m. (Paramount+)
- CONCACAF: USA vs. Panama, 7 p.m. (FS1 and fuboTV — Try for free)
- CONCACAF: Honduras vs. Mexico, 7:05 p.m. (Paramount+)
