A statement from the United States Soccer Federation said the reigning Asian champions would be replaced by Argentina in the four-nation event which also includes Brazil and Canada as well as hosts the USA.

The USSF said the previously arranged schedule of fixtures would remain the same, with Argentina slotting into Japan's place.

In the middle of the European winter, it rained goals; This week’s 10 nominees piled on a total of 13 between them, with regular final third predators Mehdi Taremi and Sam Kerr joined on the scoresheet by the likes of Maya Yoshida and Milad Mohammadi.

But who deserves the crown of the best player outside the Asian continent for matches from January 21 to 27?

Study the shortlist, and don’t forget to cast your vote!

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ is primed to surpass all expectations and celebrate several new milestones for women’s football in the Continent following the success of the 2018 edition in Jordan, which was widely-acclaimed as a breakthrough tournament after it was held in the West Zone for the first time.

The forward scored seven times in Ulsan’s successful AFC Champions League campaign last year – including twice in the final – as the club claimed the continental title for the second time in their history with victory over Islamic Republic of Iran's Persepolis FC in the decider in Doha in December.

Afif was only 23 when he ran out at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2011, having made a big contribution to Al Sadd’s second continental title, playing eight matches in their victorious AFC Champions League campaign.

Though he missed Al Sadd’s first two matches in the competition – a 2-1 win over Esperance Sportive de Tunis and a 4-0 semi-final defeat to Barcelona – he came on for the last 18 minutes of the match for third place against host team Kashiwa Reysol, a game Al Sadd won 5-3 on penalties.

The 2021 AFC Champions League will see 40 teams in the group stage - an increase of eight - with one additional group each in the East and West Zones.

The 2021 AFC Cup Group Stage will see 39 clubs competing - an increase of three from 2019 - with a newly-introduced Group for the Central Zone.

This edition will also award the winning team a place in the preliminary stage of the 2022 AFC Champions League.