I don't think the American team would have qualified from many of the European qualifying groups this time. Not guaranteed anyway, like they should through CONCACAF.

Massive day for Argentina tomorrow, if they lose their final group match then they will miss out on the World Cup for the first time since 1970. The thought of a World Cup without Argentina and Lionel Messi is mind blowing!

 

 

Glad they qualified.

Edited October 11, 20177 yr by commonsense

Embarrassing for the United States. It does however prove at the same time how difficult CONCACAF qualifying is despite people thinking it's a cakewalk. The "Hex" is extremely difficult and unpredictable. Just look at the U.S. being eliminated this time around and Mexico being on the brink of elimination last time. American coach Bruce Arena put it best when he said "I'd love to see some of those hot-shot European teams try to qualify having to play at some of the venues we deal with." He's probably right considering the big European squads play the Liechtensteins and Moldovas of the world. UEFA needs to amend their qualifying and have at least two round, so that some of the lower teams get eliminated early on which prevents pointless 8-0 blowouts from occurring and allows the developing nations to play other nations on their level and be competitive.

 

Looks like they are doing something like this. The new qualifying looks insanely complicated.

Looks like they are doing something like this. The new qualifying looks insanely complicated.

 

It's about time.

 

If it were me, I'd do this for 2022, when there will still be 14 qualifiers from the region.

 

I would have seven groups of five in the final round. Each groups plays 8 matches (the other four teams home and away). The top two from each group qualify for the World Cup.

 

So that final round would have 35 teams, but 21 of them would automatically receive a bye to this round and the other 14 would come from the preliminary round.

 

That round would have the bottom 33 in Europe in five groups of five and two groups of four. The top two teams from each group would go the final round.

 

 

So to recap: 54 split into 21 seeded teams and 33 non-seeded. 33 non-seeded play a preliminary round to come up with 14. Those 14 gets added to the 21 seeded nations and those groups decide the final 14 for the World Cup.

Edited October 11, 20177 yr by DJHazey

Some result in Cardiff - was two days after my wedding so couldn't go but went nuts when McClean put the ball in the net!!

With Strachan gone who do you think will be the next Scotland manager?

With the USNMT failing to qualify, manager Bruce Arena has resigned his position with the squad....would be interesting to see if the US are able to Qualify for the 2022 World Cup....

Teams qualified so far:

 

 

RUSSIA (Hosts)

BELGIUM

ENGLAND

FRANCE

GERMANY

ICELAND

POLAND

PORTUGAL

SERBIA

SPAIN

 

ARGENTINA

BRAZIL

COLOMBIA

URUGUAY

 

COSTA RICA

MEXICO

PANAMA

 

IRAN

JAPAN

SAUDI ARABIA

SOUTH KOREA

 

EGYPT

NIGERIA

Good to see Egypt and Panama in there for some variety. Mixed feelings about the USA going out, I tend to root against them and I'll miss that, it'll be a bit weird too. Can't deny I'm happy to see Central America showing them up though.

 

Iceland as well, they're really having a golden generation moment more than a fluke, even more so if they're the only Scandi there in the end.

Europe Playoffs:

 

 

Northern Ireland vs. Switzerland -- 11/9 Belfast 11/12 Basel

Croatia vs. Greece -- 11/9 Zagreb 11/12 Piraeus

Denmark vs. Ireland -- 11/11 Copenhagen 11/14 Dublin

Sweden vs. Italy -- 11/10 Solna 11/13 Italy (Venue TBD)

 

 

My current rankings are Croatia (11), Italy (15), Switzerland (17), Sweden (21), Denmark (27), Northern Ireland (28), Ireland (37), Greece (55)

 

So based on this, I'll say Sweden has the best chance for an upset but I'm picking Northern Ireland, Croatia, Denmark, and Sweden based on the play I've seen recently.

Yeh think NI have a chance against the Swiss and Ireland do against Denmark but I understand it'll be hard as Denmark are similar to us in playing style!

The only thing I don't see is Greece taking out Croatia, otherwise the other three matchups could either way.

Edited October 18, 20177 yr by DJHazey

Switzerland, Croatia, Italy should go through for me - they look to just have that edge in quality and experience. Denmark - Ireland too close to call.

I'm not sure the Swiss do have the quality that's the thing. NI have a strong frame and could take set piece opportunities!

I'm not sure the Swiss do have the quality that's the thing. NI have a strong frame and could take set piece opportunities!

 

Shaqiri and Xhaka for starters! Switzerland tend to be one of those teams people underrate or assume they are boring but they do have a very good team. Obviously their qualifying group was easy and they froze in the final game against Portugal but they are favourites against Northern Ireland for a reason.

 

I do hope Northern Ireland get through though, Switzerland always get there and never do much.

Yeh they always come up short against half decent opposition and Shakiri etc sum them up in relation to to their inconsistency. Just think NI could sneak an away goal from a set piece. We shall see tho ML Hammer :)

Northern Ireland have a great chance as do the Republic. No easy draws, but both Denmark and Switzerland are the more favourable of the potential 4 opponents.

I hope both Irelands make it to the World Cup finals but it's more likely that they will both miss out. Sweden vs Italy should be a good tie and I can't imagine Italy not getting through that but it will be a close affair. Greece are a shadow of the side that they were in Euro 2004 so Croatia should easily win that match over two legs.

 

 

I think Australia will beat Honduras but I would rather Honduras win instead because Australia never make an impact whenever they qualify for the World Cup and normally end up bottom of their group. New Zealand vs Peru will be an interesting match up as both of these teams are rarely in the World Cup so it will be fresh to see either of these teams in Russia, this one could go either way.

Think New Zealand were there last time round but since Australia have moved to the Asia qualifying they have a better chance!

 

Croatia may find it tougher with the managers sacking at the end of the qualifying campaign there - hopefully their mentality will be right and the get through as they are a quality side with good fans!!

Are you watching, the England team?

 

As the England Under 17's are 3-1 up against Brazil in the U17's semi-fnal against Brazil with an hat-trick from Liverpool's Rhian Brewster.