Think the rumoured Middle East OFC tourney in Jan 2022, could be a great outcome for the AWs, especially if early in Jan when most Euro leagues are on a winter break. So hopefully no problem having most of the Euro based players available. Plus is MLS/USL off season.
FIFA are also having an extra international window 24th January to 1st February 2022, to allow confederations to catch on WC qualifying delayed by Covid. But neither UEFA or I understand the A League are going to observe that later Jan window.
But again as long as NZ/Aus require returning travellers to do 2 weeks MIQ, impossible for A League based guys to travel for any AWs games, during the A League season. Maybe by January, there might be some exemptions in place for vaccinated international sportspeople. I know FFA are pushing Aus Govt for help with some exemptions, so they can host Socceroos games later this year.
What you want is the March 2022 FIFA window (yes provided AWs win OFC tourney) available for some high quality friendly(ies), so go into June 2022 intercontinental playoffs well prepared. So you definitely want that OFC WC qualifying tourney no later than January.
FIFA are also having an extra international window 24th January to 1st February 2022, to allow confederations to catch on WC qualifying delayed by Covid. But neither UEFA or I understand the A League are going to observe that later Jan window.
But again as long as NZ/Aus require returning travellers to do 2 weeks MIQ, impossible for A League based guys to travel for any AWs games, during the A League season. Maybe by January, there might be some exemptions in place for vaccinated international sportspeople. I know FFA are pushing Aus Govt for help with some exemptions, so they can host Socceroos games later this year.
What you want is the March 2022 FIFA window (yes provided AWs win OFC tourney) available for some high quality friendly(ies), so go into June 2022 intercontinental playoffs well prepared. So you definitely want that OFC WC qualifying tourney no later than January.