A busy year for the sport

Fewer events are held in years with an odd number than in years with an even number. Men’s World Cups, Euros and Copa Americas have tradition on even-numbered years. Either way, there’s plenty of football action coming up in 2023.

Here are some dates to note in your diary.

Biggest football events in 2023

February 1-11, 2023: FIFA Club World Cup

At the 2023 edition, the Seattle Sounders will represent the CONCACAF region. The Sounders make history as the first ever MLS club to be a CONCACAF representative. The tournament will take place in Morocco with Wydad Athletic Club and Al Ahly representing Africa. Real Madrid (UEFA) and Flamengo (CONMEBOL) are the favourites. Finally, Al-Hilal (AFC) and Aukland City (Oceania) round out the competition.

In the US, FOX Sports and Telemundo Deportes are covering the event.

February 14, 2023: UEFA Champions League Round of 16

The knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League kicks off on February 14 with two great matches. Reigning Scudetto winner AC Milan takes on Tottenham Hotspur. The game of the year between PSG and Bayern Munich also starts.

The Round of 16 runs until March 15. You can watch UEFA Champions League action in the US on CBS Sports/Paramount+ and Univision.

March 23, 2023: Euro 2024 qualifying

Qualifying for Euro 2024 starts on this day with a decent game. Euro 2020 champion Italy is the host Euro 2020 runner-up in the group C opener.

The US TV rights in the US belong to FOX Sports and Univision fuboTV streaming many of the qualifiers in a deal with FOX.

May 20 – June 11, 2023: FIFA U-20 World Cup

The United States will participate in this year’s U-20 World Cup, held in Indonesia as one of four CONCACAF teams (the other three are Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Honduras). A tournament worth watching with fluid football from young talent who may well become a household name in the near future. As with all FIFA tournaments, the current US English language rights holder is FOX Sports.

May 31, 2023: Europa League final

Held this year in Budapest, Hungary. CBS Sports and Univision.

June 3, 2023: FA Cup Final

US TV rights: ESPN+

June 7, 2023: Europa Conference League Final

Held in Prague, Czech Republic. Coverage on CBS Sports and Univision.

June 10, 2023: UEFA Champions League Final

Held in Istanbul, Turkey. Broadcast on CBS Sports and Univision.

June 14 – 18, 2023: UEFA Nations League Final

The Netherlands is host country for the last four of the UEFA Nations League with Croatia, Italy and Spain as hosts. FOX Sports owns the English language rights of American TV.

June 16 – July 16, 2023: AFC Asian Cup

The top 24 countries of the Asian Confederation will participate in this tournament in Qatar (originally planned for China). CBS Sports has the rights to this tournament in the US. Many of the games are up Paramount+.

July 20 – August 20, 2023: FIFA Women’s World Cup

The 2023 Women’s World Cup is the culmination of this year’s biggest football events. It is the first edition with 32 teams. Australia and New Zealand are co-hosts of the competition. FOX Sports and Telemundo have US TV rights.

August 16, 2023: UEFA Super Cup

A new season of European football starts on August 16 with the traditional meeting of the winners of the Champions League and the Europa League. CBS Sports and Univision.

Photo: IMAGO / Bihlmayer Photography