Quiet summer

Despite several competitions, the summer of 2017 passed with very few major shocks. In World Cup qualifiers around the world, where Iran became only the 2^nd country after Brazil to join hosts Russia in the 2018 World Cup, the biggest shock occurred in Europe where Israel slumped to a 3-0 defeat at home to Albania while Hungary were humiliated 1-0 in Andorra and the Republic of Ireland needed a late goal to earn a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Austria. In Asia Afghanistan lost 1-0 in Cambodia and Kyrgyzstan were beaten 1-0 in India while the Philippines triumphed 4-3 in Tajikistan and Yemen were held to a goalless draw in Nepal. In North America could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to the USA while in Oceania Papua New Guinea lost 2-1 at home to the Solomon Islands and in an Asian Cup qualifier Singapore were stunned 2-1 by their visitors from Taiwan. The Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers produced several unexpected away wins affecting the rankings. Nigeria suffered a 2-0 loss at home to South Africa and Zambia lost by a single goal at home to Mozambique while Madagascar were victorious 3-1 in Sudan and Guinea shocked the Ivory Coast 3-2 on their travels.

In the Confederations Cup in Russia, Chile, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Australia, reached the final where a single goal gave Germany the Cup while in the Caribbean Cup in Martinique, Curacao who defeated the hosts 2-1 enjoyed the same result against Jamaica in the final to lift the cup.