UEFA qualification for the 2026 World Cup gets underway as Cyprus hosts San Marino on Friday.
Cyprus will begin its qualification run for the 2026 World Cup with what will undoubtedly be the easiest fixture of its Group H campaign as European minnow San Marino makes it way to Larnaca on Friday. The two teams are set to compete as part of a pool that also contains Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Romania, each of whom will be considered greater favorites to advance than either of those teams competing at the AEK Arena. Cyprus has won each of its seven meetings with San Marino to date and will seek to extend that unblemished run in the hopes of making the dream start to a new World Cup qualifying campaign.
How to Watch Cyprus vs. San Marino:
Game Date: Friday, March 21, 2024
Start Time: 12:50 p.m. ET
TV: FOX Soccer Plus
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San Marino has its work cut out if it’s to land a first-ever win over Cyprus, though even a draw away from home would represent a positive start in its World Cup hopes.
And the lowest-placed team in FIFA’s rankings – placed 210th in the world – has a glimmer of hope after ending a drought of 20 years without a competitive win.
San Marino beat Lichtenstein twice last year in the UEFA Nations League to mark a major move in the right direction for a team that has become something of a cult movement in recent years.
La Serenissima also upset the odds by beating Lichtenstein 3-1 away from home in November to finish top of its Nations League group and earn promotion from the lowest tier.
Cyprus, meanwhile, fell 4-1 away to an in-form Romania team last time out, albeit in a UEFA Nations League dead-rubber that couldn’t have altered the former’s table standing, regardless of the result.
Akis Mantzios will officially begin his reign as Cyprus chief on Friday after the Greek journeyman took over his first national team in January.
The former Aris manager will be looking to enforce change in the role, though Cyrpus’ dominance over San Marino is at least one thing he’ll hope remains the very same.
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