MIAMI, Florida – There is a very heavy presence of players with Concacaf club competition experience on the four Concacaf nations that will be participating at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, but not to be discounted are the players from non-Concacaf nations who are still very much a part of the Concacaf club landscape.
By far the country with the most Concacaf club competition representation is Ecuador. The Conmebol nation boasts 10 players who have either previously played in the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League or will compete in the SCL in the 2023 edition: Alexander Dominguez, Xavier Arreaga, Diego Palacios, Felix Torres, Jose Cifuentes, Carlos Gruezo, Angel Mena, Enner Valencia, Ayrton Preciado and Jhegson Mendez.
Mendez, Cifuentes and Palacios of Los Angeles FC and Club Leon stalwart Mena will get a crack at the 16-team tournament beginning next March.
Both Palacios and Cifuentes were part of the LAFC side that reached the Final of the 2020 SCCL, with Palacios being named the tournament’s Best Young Player, while Mena is poised to play in his fourth different SCCL with the Liga MX club after appearing in five games in the previous three editions.
One of the most successful SCCL players in history will be an attacking option for Ecuador in the form of former Tigres star Valencia. In 13 SCCL matches with the Felinos, Valencia scored 10 goals and took home Golden Boot honors in 2019 for his seven goals.
Center back Arreaga is another player with a wealth of SCCL experience who will bolster the Ecuador team at the World Cup. The Seattle Sounders DF has played in 10 SCCL matches in his career and helped Seattle win the 2022 SCCL title.
Argentina defensive midfielder Guido Rodriguez is another player from the Conmebol region set to feature in Qatar. A former member of Club America, Rodriguez played in four SCCL matches in his career, including the 2018 semifinals.
But it’s not just Conmebol teams who can say they have SCCL experience on their squads. Netherlands FW Vincent Janssen was a key figure in Monterrey’s run to the 2021 SCCL title, scoring two goals in five games.
There will also be 2023 SCCL representation on two other Confederations, with LAFC superstar Gareth Bale set to take the field for Wales, while Philadelphia Union stalwart Olivier Mbaizo will suit up for Cameroon.
Mbaizo played in six SCCL matches with the Union in 2021 and is joined on the Cameroon team by another SCCL success story, Seattle’s Nouhou Tolo, a veteran of 10 SCCL matches and an SCCL champion with the Sounders in 2022.
Rounding out the group of 2023 SCCL players to watch is Facundo Torres of Orlando City SC. Prior to the Florida side’s SCCL debut next spring, Torres will be aiming for deep run in Qatar with Uruguay.
While many of the eyes around the Concacaf region will be focused on Canada, Mexico, United States and Costa Rica, many SCCL stars from the past and future will also be on display in Qatar.
