Introduction

Football lovers worldwide can be restless without matches, and it can be frustrating to go through a year with no significant football tournaments or matches to look forward to. That brings up the question: Is there a major football tournament this year?

UEFA European Championship 2021

The UEFA European Championship by far is the most significant tournament to be held this year. It is a football competition contested by European nations and has been scheduled to start from June 11 to July 11, 2021. 24 teams will be vying for the title across 11 cities in Europe. Participating teams compete through a group stage, followed by the knockout stage and eventually a final game at London's Wembley Stadium. The championship was pushed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is expected to draw plenty of attention and excitement from football fans globally.

Copa America 2021

The Copa America is South America's international football tournament, which was initially scheduled to hold in 2020, but due to the pandemic, it has been moved to this year. It will be held in Colombia and Argentina from June 13 to July 10, 2021, featuring ten teams. This tournament brings together the South American nations, where they compete until one team is left standing. The tournament also draws huge worldwide viewership from all corners who are eager to see the likes of Brazil, Argentina, and other South American footballing giants compete with each other on the field of play.

FIFA Club World Cup 2021

The FIFA Club World Cup has been an annual tournament held since 2000, usually featuring the top club teams from each continent. It has been scheduled to hold in Japan, February 2021, but due to COVID-19, it has been postponed and rescheduled to December of the same year. This competition features top club teams from all six Confederations, playing for the coveted title world club champions. European heavyweights Bayern Munich won the last tournament in 2020, and they would be seeking to defend their title this year against other top teams from the world.

African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2021

The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is Africa's biggest football competition, holding once every two years. It was scheduled to hold in January and February 2021, but due to COVID-19, it has been postponed to 2022. AFCON would have featured 24 teams from Africa competing against each other for the ultimate prize. Africa's footballing giants like Egypt, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Cameroon usually compete for AFCON, and it is always a highlight of the year for African football fans.

Conclusion

Football lovers worldwide do not have to worry about going through the year with no significant tournaments or matches to look forward to. From the UEFA European Championship, the Copa America, FIFA Club World Cup, and African Cup of Nations, there are plenty of football competitions holding this year to keep fans ecstatic and excited. Granted, the pandemic did affect schedules, but the organizers have made efforts to ensure that these tournaments happen in a controlled and safe environment for everyone involved.