AJ Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 9 hours ago, MrDuck said: It's lucky for the Aussies that they have Jedinak, as the strikers couldn't hit a barn door from 5 yards. If the barn door happened to be floating 20 yards directly above them, then yes, they could. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demitri_C Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 WAA WAA What a baby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sne Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 The pots for the group draw. POT 1 POT 2 POT 3 POT 4 Russia Spain Denmark Serbia Germany Peru Iceland Nigeria Brazil Switzerland Costa Rica Australia Portugal England Sweden Japan Argentina Colombia Tunisia Morocco Belgium Mexico Egypt Panama Poland Uruguay Senegal Korea Republic France Croatia Iran Saudi Arabia Based on the FIFA rankings by October this year. As per usual only 1 team from the same confederation or 2 teams from Europe at most in the same group. Will be interesting to see how FIFA place the teams this time. I'd be content with a Russia, Peru, Sweden, Panama group. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sne Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Very much in the spirit of the old "Cold War" the US are now looking into staging their own World Cup-B along with the other teams that failed to qualify for the actual WC in Russia. Quote World Cup 2018: US Soccer exploring tournament for non-qualifiers By Saj Chowdhury BBC Sport The teams that failed to qualify for the World Cup might yet have the chance to play in an international tournament next year. That is because the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) is exploring the idea of hosting a competition featuring those who missed out on Russia 2018. BBC Sport has learnt that the idea is at a preliminary stage. Associations have yet to be contacted and US Soccer, whose team also failed to reach the World Cup, has yet to formulate a structure for the tournament. It is also understood that the competition would need to attract the cream of the teams that missed out on qualification and their best players. A major obstacle to its realisation could have been Fifa. But football's world governing body told BBC Sport that it would not stand in its way as long as it followed the usual rules and regulations of international football. Such backing is expected with the organisation trying to reinvigorate international football, with a possible global league touted. Michael Lewis, who has been writing about football in the USA for almost 40 years, is cynical about the reasons for US Soccer touting this tournament. "This seems like a money-making idea," he told BBC Sport. "They would think about it as a positive revenue stream." So which teams might play in the tournament? There were some heavyweights of world football who failed to make Russia 2018. Both four-time champions Italy and three-time runners-up Netherlands would undoubtedly top the billing at a USA tournament. Then there is Chile, ranked ninth in the world, boasting the likes of Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez. Three African giants who were at Brazil 2014 could also feature. They include Ghana, whose squad includes the likes of Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey and West Ham midfielder Andre Ayew, five-time Cup of Nations winners Cameroon and also Ivory Coast. Meanwhile, Gareth Bale's Wales, Czech Republic, Scotland, Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Turkey, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and 2004 European champions Greece could also be asked to compete. With huge support for many of these teams in the United States, it could be worth participating. However, before major tournaments there are often friendlies between those who have missed out and those who have made it. How would a USA tournament fit in with the schedule? Also, would players want to play in a competition of the stat -side glory.ure of a 'Europa League' to Fifa's World Cup? "I'm pretty sure the Italy players would rather go on holiday," added Lewis. "I would also expect teams to field inexperienced players - that certainly would not help with the development of the US national team." How much of a boost will this be for football in the US? With a joint bid to host the 2026 World Cup being mulled over by Fifa, this would be a great opportunity for the USA to present its case. Its premier domestic competition - MLS - is growing both in size and popularity, which is running in correlation with the growth of the country's Hispanic population who represent 35% of the league's fan base. There are also the financial benefits, following the blow of missing out on World Cup qualification. According to Forbes, the USSF will miss out on the $12.5m (£9.49m) paid by Fifa for reaching Russia 2018. And then there is Fox Sports, who might have felt a little punch-drunk after spending $425m (£322.76m) acquiring World Cup USA TV rights, which included next year's tournament. Business Insider said USA's failure was a "disaster" for the media organisation. Could this proposed tournament build interest in the US before the main event and boost viewing figures despite the absence of the home team? Lewis, who has written about USA at every World Cup since 1990, thinks not. "I don't think it would make a difference to the size of the World Cup TV audience if we have this tournament or not," he added. "There are so many supporters of other different nations in the country that I expect the figures to be big. "What US Soccer need to do first is find a new coach." http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42001722 God I hope this comes through! Can't wait for the gaudy opening ceremony when Donald Trump proudly explains that this is the biggest WC in the history of soccerball and that the US actually never wanted to go to Russia. While FOX are pretending the real WC is not happening. J-LO or Mariah Carey singing the national anthem dressed in a star spangled bathing suit gyrating her crotch while stating praise Jesus I'm so blessed I'm so blessed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted November 16, 2017 Moderator Share Posted November 16, 2017 11 minutes ago, sne said: Very much in the spirit of the old "Cold War" the US are now looking into staging their own World Cup-B along with the other teams that failed to qualify for the actual WC in Russia. http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42001722 God I hope this comes through! Can't wait for the gaudy opening ceremony when Donald Trump proudly explains that this is the biggest WC in the history of soccerball and that the US actually never wanted to go to Russia. While FOX are pretending the real WC is not happening. J-LO or Mariah Carey singing the national anthem dressed in a star spangled bathing suit gyrating her crotch while stating praise Jesus I'm so blessed I'm so blessed. I can't see it happening. Fan interest would be minimal, even for fans of participating countries. It's the loser cup and everyone would know it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sne Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 2 minutes ago, BOF said: I can't see it happening. Fan interest would be minimal, even for fans of participating countries. It's the loser cup and everyone would know it. Probably not. Think it depends on the money involved. A lot of FA's are missing out on huge money by missing the WC, something like £8-10m from FIFA alone. Teams like Italy and Holland would obviously send C / youth teams if they participated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Could imagine players like Bonucci, Bale, Sanchez and Verratti be delighted to play in a 3rd rate tournament Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sne Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 7 minutes ago, Zatman said: Could imagine players like Bonucci, Bale, Sanchez and Verratti be delighted to play in a 3rd rate tournament Ha! Yeah these players would obviously not go. Unless their sponsors forced them to... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demitri_C Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Yeah and imagine the clubs like Real Madrid and arsenal wanting their star players to play a full summer schedule for a pointless cup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 15 hours ago, MrDuck said: Peru take the final spot with a typical South American performance ie a couple of really classy moments plus a whole lot of time-wasting and gamesmanship. Disappointed for NZ Nice to have Peru back at the world cup. Wasn't alive for their fantastic teams in the 70s but always respected them having seen highlights of those tournaments. New Zealand just in that situation Australia were 10 years ago. As I said before they should merge Oceania and Asian qualifying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Spain in pot 2....only Fifa. And Uefa. Walk their qualifying group, won a friendly on Friday 5-0 and still can't get above Poland. Brazil, Spain, Senegal and Serbia would be a nice little group of death. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demitri_C Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 9 hours ago, sne said: The pots for the group draw. POT 1 POT 2 POT 3 POT 4 Russia Spain Denmark Serbia Germany Peru Iceland Nigeria Brazil Switzerland Costa Rica Australia Portugal England Sweden Japan Argentina Colombia Tunisia Morocco Belgium Mexico Egypt Panama Poland Uruguay Senegal Korea Republic France Croatia Iran Saudi Arabia Based on the FIFA rankings by October this year. As per usual only 1 team from the same confederation or 2 teams from Europe at most in the same group. Will be interesting to see how FIFA place the teams this time. I'd be content with a Russia, Peru, Sweden, Panama group. Best poland England Iran Panama Worst Germany england Denmark Serbia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 only be 2 european teams in a group maximum 6 minutes ago, Demitri_C said: Best poland England Iran Panama Worst Germany england Denmark Serbia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demitri_C Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 46 minutes ago, Zatman said: only be 2 european teams in a group maximum Ah i see then Worst would be Germany England Egypt Australia Even thats nit that bad. England should be qualifying no excuses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 World Cup groups are usually more easier than the Euros so you would expect England to get through though probably in a struggle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 (edited) Worst for England would be Brazil from pot 1 (favourites imo), Sweden from pot 3 as England always struggle to beat them in major tournaments and then a wildcard like Nigeria or Morocco from pot 4 as they are two decent teams who are capable of qualifying into the knock outs. Or Iceland again for a laugh. Edited November 16, 2017 by VillaChris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobzy Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 34 minutes ago, Demitri_C said: Ah i see then Worst would be Germany England Egypt Australia Even thats nit that bad. England should be qualifying no excuses Worst would be: Brazil, England, Denmark, Japan 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HanoiVillan Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 15 hours ago, bobzy said: Worst would be: Brazil, England, Denmark, Japan Yeah, I think that's probably the worst, unless Japan have suddenly become really shite. I could see us finishing bottom of that group. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VILLAMARV Posted November 17, 2017 Author Share Posted November 17, 2017 Russia's group already stands out to me as Peru - Iran - Panama 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulC Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 1 hour ago, HanoiVillan said: Yeah, I think that's probably the worst, unless Japan have suddenly become really shite. I could see us finishing bottom of that group. Dunno think we are better than Japan and Denmark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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