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EXPLAINER: What’s at stake as World Cup qualifying resumes

Uruguay's coach Diego Alonso is introduced to the press at Centenario stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) FILE - Brazil's Coach Tite gives instructions during a national soccer team training session, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Nov. 10, 2021. Tite on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, announced his squad for two upcoming World Cup qualifier matches, leaving out injured star Neymar and noting that defender Renan Lodi wasn't selected because he hasn't been vaccinated against COVID-19. (AP Photo/Andre Penner, File) FILE - Ecuador players sing their national anthem prior to a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying soccer match at Rodrigo Paz Delgado stadium in Quito, Ecuador, Nov. 11, 2021. Ecuador summoned 28 players on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, for the crucial double round of qualifiers in which they will host Brazil, and visit Peru. (Jose Jacome/AP File) FILE - United States' Christian Pulisic (10) celebrates after scoring a goal against Panama during the first half of a World Cup qualifying soccer match, Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. The United States will play its final home World Cup qualifier at Orlando, Florida, on March 27 against Panama. The U.S. Soccer Federation announced Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, that the match will be at Exploria Stadium, where the Americans beat Panama 4-0 on Oct. 6, 2017, also their next-to-last qualifier.(AP Photo/John Raoux, File) FILE - Children stand next to the official countdown clock showing remaining time until the kick-off of the World Cup 2022, in Doha, Qatar, Nov. 25, 2021. Fans can start registering for the lottery to buy Qatar World Cup tickets Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. FIFA tickets will be distributed through a ballot process rather than an open sale for the Nov. 21-Dec. 18 tournament. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, file)
EXPLAINER: What’s at stake as World Cup qualifying resumes