For the Euros, the top 16-20 teams should qualify automatically, the rest of teams should ‘earn’ that right. The World Cup is a bit more confusing but to crack, there are some ideas floating around that are interesting.Just seen on the BBC that Sweden are guaranteed a play off spot, even though they only have 1 point and are bottom of their group.
I don't actually mind the Nations League concept as it makes internationals slightly more interesting, but the whole qualification thing does seem overly complicated.
For the Euros, the top 16-20 teams should qualify automatically, the rest of teams should ‘earn’ that right. The World Cup is a bit more confusing but to crack, there are some ideas floating around that are interesting.
There is just no rational competition that would pit the likes of Andorra, San Marino, Gibraltar and so on against the likes of England, France, Spain, Germany etc.
They can and other confederations have prelims, AFC pits. If anything, integrating the Nations League into the qualification process enhances the prospects of lower tier nation. As England found out, relegation to Tier 2 in the nations league had 0 consequence so for the Nations League to stand up as a meaningful competition, maintaining that Top 16 rank has got to matter.To be fair competitions in all sports allow access to every country. It’s always been that small countries play - it’s just that so many European countries are allowed in the World Cup
For the Euros, the top 16-20 teams should qualify automatically, the rest of teams should ‘earn’ that right. The World Cup is a bit more confusing but to crack, there are some ideas floating around that are interesting.
There is just no rational competition that would pit the likes of Andorra, San Marino, Gibraltar and so on against the likes of England, France, Spain, Germany etc.
They can and other confederations have prelims, AFC pits. If anything, integrating the Nations League into the qualification process enhances the prospects of lower tier nation. As England found out, relegation to Tier 2 in the nations league had 0 consequence so for the Nations League to stand up as a meaningful competition, maintaining that Top 16 rank has got to matter.
One proposed format is:
1-16 ranked teams qualify automatically
17-32 are then in a playoff style league/competition for 4 playoff qualifiers
The overall product of World Cup qualification is dross. Anyone that follows England turn up to get the points or an away day to somewhere new. The gap of opponents is too high and it’s undermining the international game because there’s widespread apathy when international windows come about.
Generally, people like the Nations League so it makes sense to broaden that and frankly, it must have much stronger commercial opportunities.
Yes, the suggestion isn’t to exclude any teams because the principle should remain that in theory, anyone can qualify.Dont FIFA rules dictate all members have a chance of WC qualification?
If it’s the Top 16 that automatically qualify, you could have a situation where the Relegated Tier 1 teams have a playoff with promoted T2 teams for automatic spots.Not a bad idea actually, although I do quite like when some of the bigger teams miss out.
There has to be something more interesting though than the current qualifying set up of higher ranked countries coasting through their groups and then only really being tested by a good standard side at the actual tournament
Seemed in slow motionThat mctominay goal is nuts
With Curacao qualifying, are we about to see Gervane Kastaneer play at the actual World Cup?
Never seen stats like that in the World Gurning Cup before.Unbelievable View attachment 47187
USA-Iran-Saudi Arabia groupMost of the pots have been decided for the World Cup, a fun draw would be:
England-Australia-Scotland-NZ / ROI (if they made it).
One to avoid would be Italy if they win their playoff, they’ll be in Pot 4 by the looks of it.
Unfortunately if he does, it's at the expense of Kasey Palmer who would surely have rallied around to earn a call-up with Jamaica.With Curacao qualifying, are we about to see Gervane Kastaneer play at the actual World Cup?
I thought they were 3 team groups?Most of the pots have been decided for the World Cup, a fun draw would be:
England-Australia-Scotland-NZ / ROI (if they made it).
One to avoid would be Italy if they win their playoff, they’ll be in Pot 4 by the looks of it.
Tell you what, if that Ramirez don't win player of the tournament there's no justice.
i just refuseIs anyone else planning to go to this?
I have been quite excited about this for a while and actually won the ticket ballot lottery. My slot for buying tickets was today, but upon logging in I cannot find a single ticket in any stadium for any match under 300 dollars. Most are around 500 dollars. Was planning to do a handful of games and travel round the USA and maybe Mexico a bit, but not sure I will bother now!
View attachment 46535
Is anyone else planning to go to this?
I have been quite excited about this for a while and actually won the ticket ballot lottery. My slot for buying tickets was today, but upon logging in I cannot find a single ticket in any stadium for any match under 300 dollars. Most are around 500 dollars. Was planning to do a handful of games and travel round the USA and maybe Mexico a bit, but not sure I will bother now!
View attachment 46535
Tell you what, if that Ramirez don't win player of the tournament there's no justice.
It does beg the question of what sorts of fans they expect/want to turn up in big numbers for these games.I'm planning to go out but need to see the draw before deciding what to do. I'm looking into refundable flights/accommodation for the final in New York/Jersey just in case we make the final because I'll get a ticket through the ETSC.
I did the whole month in Germany 2024, had a great time and everywhere was nearby, the travel costs and accommodation alone is going to be 1.5-2 times what I spent on that trip (minimum).
Definitely not proles like us. FIFA is 100% selling itself to the highest bidder in a more deliberateIt does beg the question of what sorts of fans they expect/want to turn up in big numbers for these games.
i just refuse
$550 a ticket for a round of 32 in LA. Mates grabbed a few and offered me one. I spend money on some daft shit but out of principle I am out.
It’s not quite emc come onThat mctominay goal is nuts
no 12 Groups of 4 with the top 2 and the 8 best 3rd place teams going through - So beat one of the also rans by 3 or 4 goals and you go throughI thought they were 3 team groups?
International tournaments having 3rd place qualifiers kills the format.no 12 Groups of 4 with the top 2 and the 8 best 3rd place teams going through - So beat one of the also rans by 3 or 4 goals and you go through
Definitely not proles like us. FIFA is 100% selling itself to the highest bidder in a more deliberate
Without being too one sided, even if the World Cup was just in the USA, the internal travel would be a lot more expensive in Europe. The rail pass I got for the month last year was €500 and that got me Berlin to Cov on a train for £25 essentially.
There’s also the international travel. My flight to Germany was £50 and looking at £650-850 for a flight to New York for the final weekend. That is a reality of flying to a different continent.
It comes back to the organisers wanting more games to get more money, even if it devalues the competition.International tournaments having 3rd place qualifiers kills the format.
As we see with the Euros, smaller teams know 3 daws will more or less guarantee qualification.
If we have bigger World Cup, have a format that has
16 groups of 3 (2 qualifiers) or 8 groups of 6 (4 qualifiers).
It’s remarkable that the World Cup adopted a format that was tried by UEFA for the Euros and took 2 tournaments to change it. It will damage the product.It comes back to the organisers wanting more games to get more money, even if it devalues the competition.
Adidas have released all their World Cup shirts today. Some crackers in there, but not sure they'll all be getting as much use as others...
View attachment 46983
The Japan shirt is class. Wonder have genuinely far off Sakamoto would be from their squad?
While the new Champions League format has worked well and proven popular, it’s an exception to the rule. There’s something special about a World Cup with just 32 teams who’ve had to really earn their spot, then have to really earn a knockout place.It’s remarkable that the World Cup adopted a format that was tried by UEFA for the Euros and took 2 tournaments to change it. It will damage the product.
IIRC, it was Slovakia v Romania last Euros where both teams knew a draw would guarantee qualification. I spoke to a small Slovenian fans before England v Slovenia and they only cared about getting a draw to qualify. In the old format, they needed a win to guarantee qualification.
The World Cup will go the same way and will either expand (again) or shake up the group stage format.
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