ASUNCION, June 19 (Xinhua) -- The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has reiterated plans to begin the region's 2022 World Cup qualifiers in September.
The qualifying tournament was postponed just days before its scheduled start in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
In April, CONMEBOL said the first fixtures would likely be played in September, however those plans have been questioned amid the region's steepening COVID-19 epidemic curve.
"As for the FIFA qualifiers for the Qatar 2022 World Cup ... right now the date set by this body for its commencement is September 2020 in the format previously established," the entity said in a statement.
Each of CONMEBOL's 10 member nations will play each other home and away, with the top four teams securing automatic World Cup qualification. The fifth-ranked side will earn the right to play in an inter-continental playoff.
CONMEBOL did not say when the Copa Libertadores - South America's top club competition - or the second-tier Copa Sudamericana would begin.
On Thursday, Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state championship became the first South American competition to resume since the region's coronavirus shutdown began in mid-march. Defending champions Flamengo beat Bangu 3-0 in the match played behind closed doors at the Maracana Stadium.
Brazil has the second highest number of coronavirus infections worldwide, behind only the United States, with more than a million confirmed cases and a death toll exceeding 49,000. Enditem
