When the calendar year doesn’t end in an even number, we are obviously somewhat disappointed that it means that there won’t be a World Cup, European Championship, or even an Olympic Games to look forward to.
Nonetheless, the action never stops, and this summer, there is more football to keep us entertained throughout the next few months than you may think.
So, the football fun does not stop even in the quieter summer months.
You can still go out with your friends to watch a game at the pub and place a bet or two to spice things up.
Copa America
Start Date: June 14th
Final: July 7th
The oldest competition in international football history will hold its 46th edition, which will be held over three weeks in June and July.
Brazil is the host of the tournament and will be missing the absence of captain and star player Neymar.
Nonetheless, they are still favourites for the tournament.
Still, they will likely be threatened by Lionel Messi’s Argentina – who are desperate to win a trophy that has been starved from them in this generation.
Chile are the defending champions, winning the 2015 and 2016 Copa America Championships, beating Argentina on penalties on both occasions.
African Cup of Nations
Start Date: June 21st
Final: July 19th
Everyone has the right to feel eager to watch this year’s African Cup of Nations, as it will be different to previous instalments for two reasons.
Firstly, it is taking place in the summer instead of during the season in January/February.
Still, it will also be expanded from 16 teams to 24 teams, which means more minutes, games, goals, and, most importantly, more excitement! It’s hosted in Egypt, where Mohammed Salah is unquestionably the star or even king of football, as they hope to win a record 8th African Cup of Nations title.
Sadio Mane’s Senegal, current holders Cameroon, and Nigeria will also have reason to believe they can win it.
Under 21’s European Championship
Start Date: June 16th
Final: June 30th
The Under 21’s European Championship always catches the eye of football enthusiasts, as it gives them the chance to see the stars of the future.
The two-week competition, hosted in Italy and San Marino, promises to be engrossing, as defending champions Germany will want to keep their crown.
Many players that have won this tournament in the past, have gone on to be exceptional players for their national team in the future.
For this year’s edition, Luka Jovic of Serbia is a player to look out for following his move to Real Madrid from Frankfurt.
Elsewhere, Sandro Tonali of Italy is dubbed the next Andrea Pirlo, and Robert Skov is a prolific goal scorer from Denmark.
Let’s see how the tournament pans out and which players will shine.
FIFA Women’s World Cup
Start Date: June 7th
Final: July 7th
Although the Women’s World Cup only started in 1991, it’s quickly growing and starting to be a tournament thrust into the mainstream media, giving it the coverage it deserves.
24 nations are taking part, hoping to create history. The USA women are favourites to retain their title, which they won in Canada in 2015.
Hosts France will hope to win the tournament for the first time in their history, with England, Germany, and Japan as other teams to look out for, too.
In addition to these international tournaments, the clubs in Europe will return to their pre-season in July, starting with the International Champions Cup, which is held in six countries but predominantly in the USA.
