Do you love soccer? Then today is your lucky day. There are more than 30 World Cup qualifiers scheduled to be played all around the world over the next 12 hours. If you're interested in checking out the implications for each and every one of them, Sports Illustrated just provided a comprehensive look at all 34 matches. But if you don't have time for all that, we've cut the fat and provided you with the five WCQ games that you will definitely want to (illegally) stream at your office or DVR later tonight. Make sure you keep a close eye on these matches.
(All times EST)
1. Panama v. USA/Mexico v. Costa Rica - 9:30 p.m.
'Cause, you know, 'Murica! The U.S. is in already, but Panama has something to play for and the U.S. still has an extremely slight chance to grab a coveted seed for December's World Cup drawing. In a related match, Mexico needs a win—or, at the very least, a draw—to qualify for a playoff against New Zealand. They can also qualify for the World Cup outright if they win by at least two goals and Honduras loses to Jamaica.
2. Norway v. Iceland - 2 p.m.
Everybody's rooting for Iceland to reach its first World Cup ever—it would be the smallest nation ever to do so. It needs to stay ahead of Slovenia, currently one point behind in Group E, to earn a chance for the UEFA playoff round.
3. England v. Poland - 3 p.m.
Win and England's in. If they don't win, they're more than likely headed for the playoffs.
4. Chile v. Ecuador/Uruguay v. Argentina - 7:30 p.m.
Chile and Ecuador are both in with a draw. But if that doesn't happen, Uruguay could sneak into an automatic World Cup berth with a win over Argentina. Otherwise, Uruguay will go to a playoff against Asian runner-up Jordan.
5. Ghana v. Egypt - now underway
Former U.S. coach Bob Bradley's team is currently two goals down against Ghana in the first leg of a two-match playoff. Can they mount a comeback?
RELATED: The U.S. Men's Soccer Team Beat Mexico Tonight and Qualified for the 2014 World Cup
[via SI]
