FRISCO, Texas - Qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup is here and four FC Dallas players (Bryan Acosta, Ricardo Pepi, Szabolcs Schön and Freddy Vargas) have left DFW to join up with their respective nations as they try to book a ticket to Qatar next winter. Here's how you can follow each player over the next few days of World Cup qualifying.
Homegrown Ricardo Pepi received his first call-up to the senior U.S. Men's National Team and could make his debut when the U.S. takes on El Salvador (Thursday, Sept. 2), Canada (Sunday, Sept. 5) and Honduras (Wednesday, Sept. 8). Pepi and FCD teammate Bryan Acosta could face off when the US and Honduras face off next Wednesday at Estadio Olimpico in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
The US and Honduras are joined by six other countries in this final round of Concacaf World Cup qualifying where the top three finishers will automatically qualify for next year's tournament. The nation that finishes fourth will have a chance to qualify via a two-game playoff against a country from a different confederation (continent). Concacaf World Cup Qualifying Rules
Winger Szabolcs Schön (AKA the Hungarian Cowboy) joins up with Hungary as it continues its qualifying campaign against Euro 2020 runners up England (Sept. 2). The Magyars also face Albania (Sunday, Sept. 5) and Andorra (Sept. 8). Hungary is currently in second place in its qualifying group with two wins and a draw. The group also includes Poland and San Marino. All UEFA qualifying matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
Finally, winger Freddy Vargas joins Venezuela for its upcoming qualifying matches against Argentina (Sept. 2), Peru (Sept. 5) and Paraguay (Sept. 9). Venezuela is currently ninth place in the CONMEBOL qualifying table after six matches and will need to turn it around over the remaining 12 games to finish in the top four to guarantee a place in Qatar next winter.
