Matthew Steiner is an ISA Site Specialist for Latin America. Matt works with ISA students going to Chile, Panama and Peru.
As the 2014 World Cup in Brazil quickly approaches, the qualification rounds are heating up. Here’s a look at how our ISA host countries are doing, and what their upcoming matches will be. How is your study abroad destination fairing?
Argentina: Currently ranked 3rd in the world, Argentina is ranked number #1 in the CONMEBOL (South American) standings. Next match vs. Venezuela in Buenos Aires. Study abroad in Buenos Aires or Cordoba.
Belgium: Currently ranked 19th in the world, Belgium is ranked number #1 in the European Group A standings. Next match vs. Macedonia in Skopje. Study abroad in Brussels.
Brazil: The hosts of the 2014 World Cup are currently ranked 18th in the world, Brazil will be given an automatic invite to the Cup as the hosts. Study abroad in Florianópolis.
Botswana: Currently ranked 122nd in the world, Botswana is ranked 4th in the African Group A standings. Next match vs. Ethiopia in Addis Abeba. Study abroad in Gaborone.
Chile: Currently ranked 22nd in the world, Chile is in a 4-way tie for 3rd in the CONMEBOL standings. Next match vs. Peru in Lima. Study abroad in Valparaíso & Viña del Mar.
Colombia: Currently ranked 6th in the world, Colombia is in 3rd place for the CONMEBOL standings. Next match vs. Bolivia in Barranquilla. Study abroad in Barranquilla.
Costa Rica: Currently ranked 53rd in the world, Costa Rica is in a 4-way tie for 2nd in the CONCACAF (North America/ Caribbean) standings. Next match vs. USA in Commerce City. Study abroad in San Jose or Heredia.
Czech Republic: Currently ranked 27th in the world, Czech Republic is ranked 3rd in the European Group B standings. Next match vs. Denmark in Olomouc. Study abroad in Prague.
England: Currently ranked 4th in the world, England is ranked 2nd in the European Group H standings. Next match vs. Poland in Warsaw. Study abroad in London, Newcastle, or Reading.
France: Currently ranked 17th in the world, France is ranked 2nd in the European Group I standings. Next match vs. Georgia in Saint-Denis. Study abroad in Paris.
Jordan: Currently ranked 90th in the world, Jordan is in 5th place in the Asian Group B standings. Next match vs. Japan in Amman. Study abroad in Amman.
Morocco: Currently ranked 77th in the world, Morocco is ranked 3rd in the African Group C standings. Next match vs. Tanzania in Dar es Salaam. Study abroad in Meknes.
Northern Ireland: Currently ranked 97th in the world, Northern Ireland is ranked 4th in the European Group F standings. Next match vs. Russia in Belfast. Study abroad in Belfast.
Panama: Currently ranked 41st in the world, Panama is is in a 4-way tie for 2nd in the CONCACAF (North America/ Caribbean) standings. Next match vs. Honduras in Panama City. Study abroad in Panama City.
Peru: Currently ranked 42nd in the world, Peru is ranked 8th in the CONMEBOL standings. Next match vs. Chile in Lima. Study abroad in Lima or Cusco.
South Africa: Currently ranked 60th in the world, the previous World Cup hosts South Africa is ranked 3rd in the African Group A standings. Next match vs. Central African Republic in Cape Town. Study abroad in South Africa.
South Korea: Currently ranked 47th in the world, South Korea is ranked 2nd in the Asian Group A standings. Next match vs. Qatar in Seoul. Study abroad in Seoul.
Spain: The reigning champs are currently ranked #1 in the world. Spain is ranked 1st in the European Group I standings. Next match vs. Belarus in Minsk. Study abroad in Spain.
Though China, the Dominican Republic, and India are no longer in the hunt for the World Cup, they are still fabulous locations to study abroad!
