Over the next month and up until just before Christmas, the biggest event in football will have everyone glued to their screens, as the 2022 FIFA World Cup story unfolds in Qatar. Due to the tournament being hosted in the Middle East for the first time, the arid climate and excessive summer temperatures meant that playing in the summer was impractical, therefore scheduling of the tournament was changed to winter instead.
While the top leagues around Europe and the rest of the world have paused, allowing superstar players to focus entirely on the World Cup with their national teams, other competitions lower down the football pyramid are still taking place. This includes 6 games for our very own Southport, who are battling to win promotion from the Vanarama National League North.
This won’t be the only league continuing in countries throughout Europe, regardless of their being so much focus on the World Cup, as other competitions in the lower tiers will also proceed as normal. Looking to find the best football betting sites will remain just as important, especially when backed by trusted reviews highlighting the lates offers, given there is plenty of competitive action going on elsewhere.
English Football League & National League
Due to the World Cup and just like all the top leagues throughout Europe, the Premier League has paused for the duration of the tentpole international tournament. Many fans will undoubtedly be cheering on the Three Lions, hopeful that England can triumph for the first time since 1966. Some of us might also be rooting for Wales, making their first World Cup appearance since way back in 1958. Meanwhile, the lower leagues here will carry on regardless.
Another one for the Goal Of The Season shortlist from @JBainbridge98_ pic.twitter.com/I0DX3zWssJ
— Southport Football Club (@southport_fc) November 20, 2022
This means that from the Championship down to League One and League Two, from the fifth tier Vanorama National League and throughout the non-league pyramid, football scheduling will continue as normal. Well, providing of course the weather holds up well enough, as the winter months have often caused postponements in the past. Down in the sixth tier of the English pyramid, Southport will face Hereford United away, on 20th December and the same day the World Cup final is due to be played.
Spanish LaLiga Second Tier & RFEF Divisions
Real Madrid and Barcelona may be two of the most famous clubs anywhere in the world, followed by millions and especially when they play the iconic ‘El Clasico’ fixture. But the top tier of LaLiga has now taken a pause for the World Cup, given so many leading players will be involved in the tournament, although that hasn’t stopped scheduling in the second tier and beyond in Spain. The lower leagues in Spain also feature some historic fallen giants, including sides like Malaga CF in the second tier, and even Deportivo La Coruña in the third.
Bryan Zaragoza for Granada last night in their 4-0 win over 9 man Albacete
The youngster will go far pic.twitter.com/ROoAan48rm
— Spanish Segunda (@SegundaSpanish) November 19, 2022
Known as LaLiga Smartbank or LaLiga2 by some, the Spanish Second Division remains in full flight, featuring many historic teams and some that have competed in Europe in recent years. This includes Granada, who took on Manchester United in the Europa League quarter-finals, during the 2020-21 season. Relegated from LaLiga in 2021-22, they are battling to bounce back and have plenty of exciting young talents to help the cause, including wing wizard Bryan Zaragoza, who is certainly one to watch for the future.
Life Goes On Beyond the World Cup
Despite the inevitably hype and media focus on the World Cup, there is plenty of domestic football to keep us entertained in England, particularly involving our local teams. For those of us who still enjoy something a little more exotic, beyond the top leagues, the domestic game continues in the majority of lower leagues throughout Europe.
Tuning in can be complicated sometimes, although more online streams are now available than ever before, many of which are available at some of the leading bookmakers or via the official sites of each competition. Certainly well worth checking out, for fans of European football, albeit with a slightly different and lower league flavour.
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