I like the way Klinsmann is approaching these last 2 qualification games.
- Thread starter patdog
- Start date
With FIFA's 17ed up (corrupt) way of picking draws, only the top 8 teams are seeded. No way the USA breaks into the top 8 no matter how many matches they win between now and the draw. I still like the attitude of winning the group and letting the players know that they're always playing for their jobs, even in matches that technically "don't matter."
I did not realize that. You are right, there is no way the USA could make the top 8.
Belgium is an intriguing team to me who is currently ranked 6th: Hazard, Dembele, Lukaku, Benteke, Kompany, Vertonghen, Hazaard, De Bruyne, Fellaini, Mirallas, Chadli, and Mingolet are just players starring the EPL. Amazing team. If the World Cup were in Europe somewhere, I'd think they had a real shot.
Belgium is an intriguing team to me who is currently ranked 6th: Hazard, Dembele, Lukaku, Benteke, Kompany, Vertonghen, Hazaard, De Bruyne, Fellaini, Mirallas, Chadli, and Mingolet are just players starring the EPL. Amazing team. If the World Cup were in Europe somewhere, I'd think they had a real shot.
Yeah...
It's way too early but I have the feeling the draw will be kind of like this (non 1-seed countries chosen are leaders for their positions in the World Cup):
1-seeds: Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Colombia, Belgium, Uruguay, Brazil
Europe: Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, England, Croatia, Portugal, Greece, Russia
CONCACAF/South America/Asia/Oceania: United States, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama/New Zealand winner, Jordan/Ecuador winner, Chile
Asia/Africa: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Tunisia
Notes: Uruguay is in 5th place in South America and currently would have to play Jordan for the right to be in the World Cup. I think they'll overtake Ecuador though. I can see Uruguay or Colombia being overtaken by the Netherlands. The first eight UEFA are chosen and placed, the ninth country is in a de facto CONCACAF pot with the proviso that they can't be in a group with a European 1-seed. (FIFA regs against more than two UEFA countries in a group.) Chile and Ecuador can't be in a group with a South American 1-seed. Jordan can't be in a group with another Asian country. An Asia/Africa country will be a de facto 3rd pot meaning that if an African team is selected first, then an Asian rep must be selected for their group & vice versa.
An oh-by-the-way Potential Group of Death in this scenario: Spain, Netherlands, Ivory Coast, United States.
It's way too early but I have the feeling the draw will be kind of like this (non 1-seed countries chosen are leaders for their positions in the World Cup):
1-seeds: Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Colombia, Belgium, Uruguay, Brazil
Europe: Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, England, Croatia, Portugal, Greece, Russia
CONCACAF/South America/Asia/Oceania: United States, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama/New Zealand winner, Jordan/Ecuador winner, Chile
Asia/Africa: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Tunisia
Notes: Uruguay is in 5th place in South America and currently would have to play Jordan for the right to be in the World Cup. I think they'll overtake Ecuador though. I can see Uruguay or Colombia being overtaken by the Netherlands. The first eight UEFA are chosen and placed, the ninth country is in a de facto CONCACAF pot with the proviso that they can't be in a group with a European 1-seed. (FIFA regs against more than two UEFA countries in a group.) Chile and Ecuador can't be in a group with a South American 1-seed. Jordan can't be in a group with another Asian country. An Asia/Africa country will be a de facto 3rd pot meaning that if an African team is selected first, then an Asian rep must be selected for their group & vice versa.
An oh-by-the-way Potential Group of Death in this scenario: Spain, Netherlands, Ivory Coast, United States.
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