But in midweek, football fans across the world will have their attention taken away from club football as national teams will take on the pitch in various cities and stadiums. With the qualification fixtures for the 2014 FIFA World Cup revealed, rehearsal time has already begun. But some teams in Europe are not looking too far ahead to Brazil 2014 as the 2012 European Championship is set to come around much earlier.
There will be 3 all-European encounters among top fixtures on Wednesday, August 10. Italy vs Spain and England vs Netherlands will kick off almost simultaneously only to give neutrals a real headache over which match to follow. Portugal vs Luxembourg, meanwhile, will take place later in the night.
In another top internationally friendly match involving a European nation, Germany will affront 5-time World Cup champions Brazil. The Seleçao look extremely different from what it used to be years ago when Ronaldo, Kaka and Ronaldinho were the key players.
After the team’s disappointing displays at the 2011 Copa America, the Brazilian nation is anxiously hoping for better results. Mano Menezes has a big task to assume ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. It’s the dream of millions of people that he must carry on his shoulders. Brazil won’t need to qualify for the tournament as the host country.
Eventually, only international friendly matches can provide the coach with vital warm-up sessions. The Germany vs Brazil match at the Mercedes Benz Arena in Stuttgart will be Brazil’s first World Cup rehearsal platform.
Elsewhere in Philadelpia, USA and Mexico will lock horns for the first time since the 2011 Gold Cup final which went El Tri’s way. The exclusion of Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez can be counted as confirmed.
Chicharito is reportedly working on regaining full fitness as the English Premier League starts this weekend. Either way, this clash won’t lack excitement at all as the spotlight will be centered on new USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann. USA vs Mexico will be followed by a multitude of avid supporters.
