You may have to wait for the summer for the CONCACAF Gold Cup and CONMEBOL's Copa America, but there are other regional tournaments taking place very soon.
In addition to the Africa Cup of Nations, the 2015 AFC Asian Cup will be held this month, beginning in the wee hours of Friday, when the host country, Australia, takes on Kuwait.
And there will be MLS representation in the tournament, with New York Red Bulls midfielder Tim Cahill suiting up for Australia once again, while newly-minted Iraqi international Justin Meram of Columbus Crew SC could make his Asian Cup debut.
Here's the lowdown on the Asian Cup, to get you ready for the tournament:
HISTORY AND FORMAT
The AFC Asian Cup is the confederation championship for the Asian Football Confederation, and is held every four years. Inaugurated in 1956, the tournament is being hosted off the Asian continent for the first time, as Australia, who joined the AFC in 2006, are hosting. Though relative newcomers to the AFC, the Australians are eager to win the title.
Japan are the defending champions, and have won the tournament four times, more than any other country. Saudi Arabia and Iran have won three times each, while South Korea has hoisted the trophy twice, though their last title came way back in 1960. The Asian Cup is capable of seeing surprise winners, as Kuwait has won it once, and Iraq had a remarkable run to win it all in 2007.
The format is straightforward: there are four groups of four teams, and the top two finishers in each group advance to the knockout stages. The quarterfinals will begin on Jan. 22, and the tournament will crown a champion following the final Jan. 31 in Sydney. The winner of the tournament will earn a spot in the 2017 Confederations Cup, a tournament the US national team is also looking to enter.
FAVORITES
Seeing as they are defending champs, Japan have to be considered one of the favorites entering the tournament, but they've experienced some turmoil lately, with their poor showing at the 2014 World Cup leaving a sour taste. That could provide the motivation they need, but current national team boss Javier Aguirre, who has also coached the Mexican national team in the past, is contending with a matchfixing investigation from his time as coach of Spanish club Real Zaragoza. Anything short of reaching the final will likely be a disappointment for the Blue Samurai, but they still seem like shaky favorites.
Iran should probably be in the reckoning as well. They have kept their coach, Carlos Queiroz, from their surprising World Cup performance, and most of their squad from that tournament returns for the Asian Cup (though Vancouver Whitecaps defender Steven Beitashour won't). Though they'll be far from home for this tournament, they have what it takes to win it all.
DARK HORSES
Australia have a lot of pressure as hosts, but they are coming off an inspiring if unsuccessful run in a very difficult group at the World Cup and finished the last Asian Cup as runners-up. With successful A-League coach Ange Postecoglou in charge of the national team and given some time to prepare for the tournament, and Cahill looking to possibly end his international career with a major trophy, the home cooking and local support could put the Socceroos over the top to win the title.
South Korea should be a favorite -- and one figures they'll have to win the Asian Cup again at some point -- but they still seem to be waiting for their new generation of players to come of age, after a very disappointing World Cup last year. Son Heung-min, the bright young forward who has been playing well for Bayer Leverkusen, could have what it takes to get the South Koreans over the last hurdle, but that's a lot of responsibiilty to put on a 22-year-old.
MLS PLAYERS IN ACTION
Cahill: Expect to see him start every game for the hosts. Though his playing time dipped with the Red Bulls in 2014, his form and goalscoring prowess with Australia at the World Cup was impressive indeed, and though fellow striker Robbie Kruse has been playing pretty well for Bayer Leverkusen, his scoring record with Australia is poor. Until that changes, Cahill will be in the thick of the action.
Meram: The Crew SC attacker is new to the Iraqi set-up, and as a result it's hard to say if he's going to feature regularly in the tournament. That said, he's played six games already for Iraq since mid-November and did play in the Gulf Cup of Nations tournament. But Iraq finished last in their group in the Gulf Cup, something that doesn't necessarily bode well for their overall chances in a bigger tournament. Still, it seems likely that Meram will see at least some time during the Asian Cup, and he could be in line for a substantial role if he finds the back of the net.
TV LISTINGS
The 2015 AFC Asian Cup will be aired on One World Sports in the United States and Canada.
