CMN Sports and Lions Sports to present World Cup-bound Ecuador against Nigeria, Mali on June 2 and June 11 CMN Sports and Lions Sports are co-producing the matches.

South Americans to face Nigeria at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ and Mali at Rentschler Field in Hartford, CT; Tickets for Ecuador–Nigeria go on sale May 6 at 10 a.m.

CHICAGO, May 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — CMN Sports, an international sports and entertainment multimedia company, and Lions Sports, announced that they are co-producing two matches featuring 2022 FIFA World Cup-bound Ecuador against Nigeria and Mali next month. The match against Nigeria is set for June 2 at Red Bull Arena (8:30 p.m.) in Harrison, NJ, while the match against Mali will take place on June 11 at Rentschler Field (5:30 p.m.) in Hartford, CT.

Tickets for the Ecuador–Nigeria game will go on sale Friday, May 6 (10 a.m.), while the Ecuador–Mali match will go on sale Friday, May 13 (10 a.m.), with a pre-sale starting Thursday, May 12 (10 a.m.). Tickets for both matches will go on sale at Ticketmaster.

“We are committed to bringing international soccer to fans across the U.S., and these games will deliver the excitement and passion that can only be seen during a World Cup year,” said Carolina Daza, Director of CMN Sports. “Ecuador fans are eager to see their team in action in Qatar, and we look forward to helping kick off World Cup celebrations with these two preparation matches.”

After missing the 2018 World Cup, Ecuador will make its return to the global stage in grand fashion on Nov. 21 when it takes on host nation Qatar in the opening match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. La Tri will then face the Netherlands and Senegal on Nov. 25 and Nov. 29, respectively, in the group stage of the tournament. The event will mark Ecuador’s fourth-ever World Cup appearance.

Led by Argentine manager Gustavo Alfaro, the South Americans had previously qualified for the World Cup in 2002 (Korea/Japan), 2006 (Germany) and 2014 (Brazil). Ecuador’s roster of promising young talent includes Michael Estrada (forward) — whose six goals led the team in World Cup Qualifying— as well as Piero Hincapié (defender), Gonzalo Plata (midfielder), and Enner Valencia (forward).

Currently ranked 30th in the world, Nigeria is one of the most successful African nations with six previous World Cup appearances. The Super Eagles reached the Round of 16 at the global tournament on three occasions (1994, 1998 and 2014) and were crowned champions at the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980, 1994 and 2013. While Mali has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, the team has qualified for the Africa Nations Cup 12 times and saw their best result in 1972 as runners-up.

SOURCE CMN Sports