Blatter: Oceania will gain automatic entry into the 2010 World Cup

[pc4th]

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/09/1089000331034.html?oneclick=true

World soccer boss Sepp Blatter has renewed his promise that Oceania will gain automatic entry into the 2010 World Cup

Blatter also supports Australian moves to host the World Cup in either 2018 or 2022.

[Andy TAUS]

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/09/1089000331034.html?oneclick=trueQuote:
World soccer boss Sepp Blatter has renewed his promise that Oceania will gain automatic entry into the 2010 World Cup

Blatter also supports Australian moves to host the World Cup in either 2018 or 2022.
As much as I agree with the Septic Bladder's position on this, he won't be around for the decision on the hosting of WC2018 or WC2022. He could influence (or god-forbid, even deliver) the full place to OCEANIA into WC2010, but I'm not holding my breath.

I also posted this info in the thread on "England Mulling to bid for WC2018".

Cheers.

[Forza AZ]

He said the same thing for 2006, but revoked that desicion later. So I don't think they will get a full spot for 2010.

[nicodemus]

Don't believe him.

You all should have one.

But don't believe him.

[Trussy in Oz]

As much as I agree with the Septic Bladder's position on this, he won't be around for the decision on the hosting of WC2018 or WC2022. He could influence (or god-forbid, even deliver) the full place to OCEANIA into WC2010, but I'm not holding my breath.

I also posted this info in the thread on "England Mulling to bid for WC2018".

Cheers.

[Trussy in Oz]

Andy T,

I always worry about statements like this, it is like we owe them a favor or something, “you mean to say you need our vote to retain your presidency”

Okay fine in exchange for direct qualification?, this just sounds too familiar,

Trussy

[Andy TAUS]

Andy T,

I always worry about statements like this, it is like we owe them a favor or something, “you mean to say you need our vote to retain your presidency”

Okay fine in exchange for direct qualification?, this just sounds too familiar,

TrussyTrussy,

Same record being played again for the benefit of the same punters.

I don't trust ANY snakes, especially of the FIFA variety.

Once bitten, twice shy.

Cheers.

[mfw13]

No offense to any Aussies out there, but I think that you don't deserve an automatic spot until you have qualified through the playoffs at least once.

So qualify for 2006 first, then we'll start talking about giving you an automatic spot for 2010!

[smith07]

All they have to do is beat like the 5th best concombel team. If you can't do that, they shouldn't get an automatic bid. One has to wonder if Asia should get as many spots as it does though.

[beachesl]

There used to be three great lies in life:

1. I'm from [insert name of capital city here] and I'm here to help you.

2. The cheque's in the mail.

3. I'll still respect you in the morning.

Now, there's a fourth we can add to the list.....

[Andy TAUS]

No offense to any Aussies out there, but I think that you don't deserve an automatic spot until you have qualified through the playoffs at least once. mfw13,

Australia "qualified through the playoffs" in WC1974 (New Zealand did the same in WC1982), so by your own logic above Oceania definitely should have an automatic spot.


So qualify for 2006 first, then we'll start talking about giving you an automatic spot for 2010!

Don't need to do it for 2006, just to prove it can be done to the doubting-thomas' of UEFA & CONMEBOL, as two Oceania teams have already done so.

:eek: End of argument.

[Andy TAUS]

All they have to do is beat like the 5th best concombel team. If you can't do that, they shouldn't get an automatic bid. One has to wonder if Asia should get as many spots as it does though.smith07,

Please do the argument some justice and read the threads on Oceania's WC Q's pathway, then come back and tell me that ANY Oceania team has it easy playing the 5th place CONMEBOL team in a Home & Away shoot-out in 18 months time (in which Oceania plays 2 H&A games amongst themselves and CONMEBOL play another 11 H&A games amongst themsleves).

Just ask yourself, how did this pathway come about, who would be more likely to be better prepared for such a crap-shoot in 18 months time, who's to benefit from this situation and why is this so.

One answer - the CONMEBOL teams - as they are almost always guaranteed the 5th team into the WC Finals, no matter who they ended up playing of the 3 weakest FIFA confederations (AFC, CONCACAF, OCEANIA).

Why CONMEBOL isn't pitted against a UEFA team in the last place playoff is beyond me, except for the politics of FIFA of course.

Cheers.

[bennyf118]

mfw13,

Australia "qualified through the playoffs" in WC1974 (New Zealand did the same in WC1982), so by your own logic above Oceania definitely should have an automatic spot.

Don't need to do it for 2006, just to prove it can be done to the doubting-thomas' of UEFA & CONMEBOL, as two Oceania teams have already done so.

:eek: End of argument.

So you're saying in the whole history of the World Cup, you've qualified twice, and not in the past 20+ years? That sounds like a really compelling argument to me :rolleyes:

I have nothing against Oceania getting an automatic spot, but not until they show they can get into the WC ~at least~ half the time (or 2-3 consecutive times). Something tells me this is going to go the way of Blatter's suggestion for female uniforms.

[Gordon EF]

the fact is Australia are the only half way decent team in OCEANIA and don't deserve a place in the WC just because they turned up and thumped some team worse than my local school team.

Fair enough, campagin for fairer qualifying but, as somone says, if you ca't beat the 5th best team in COMNEBOL, you don't deserve it.

[Andy TAUS]

the fact is Australia are the only half way decent team in OCEANIA and don't deserve a place in the WC just because they turned up and thumped some team worse than my local school team.

Fair enough, campagin for fairer qualifying but, as somone says, if you ca't beat the 5th best team in COMNEBOL, you don't deserve it.Same must also apply to your team, Scotland (?) then.

[Gordon EF]

Same must also apply to your team, Scotland (?) then.

Have you seen our qualifying group?

Italy
Norway
Slovenia
Moldova
Belarus

All of them are better than anything tou will face in OCEANIA and Italy are better than whoever finishes 5th in COMNEBOL.

[Zviggy]

smith07,

Please do the argument some justice and read the threads on Oceania's WC Q's pathway, then come back and tell me that ANY Oceania team has it easy playing the 5th place CONMEBOL team in a Home & Away shoot-out in 18 months time (in which Oceania plays 2 H&A games amongst themselves and CONMEBOL play another 11 H&A games amongst themsleves).

Just ask yourself, how did this pathway come about, who would be more likely to be better prepared for such a crap-shoot in 18 months time, who's to benefit from this situation and why is this so.

One answer - the CONMEBOL teams - as they are almost always guaranteed the 5th team into the WC Finals, no matter who they ended up playing of the 3 weakest FIFA confederations (AFC, CONCACAF, OCEANIA).

Why CONMEBOL isn't pitted against a UEFA team in the last place playoff is beyond me, except for the politics of FIFA of course.

Cheers.

This is a quesiton no one can ever answer us Australians. We dont mind having a fair qorld cup qualification route. Hell we would rather be put into the South American confederation or Asian confederation then the qualification route we have now.

1994: Argentina had 2 chances to qualifiy for the world cup (once by finishing the best 3 teams in South American which they failed and second chance was against the winner of Oceania which they passed. How many chances did the Oceania team get ONE

1998: Iran had 3 (i repeat 3) of making the World Cup. Firstly they failed but not topping their group, they got a second chance with a clash with Japan they failed.....they got a 3rd chance against Oceania (and they passed) well kind off...away goals after two draws. Australia AGAIN GOT ONE CHANCE. Iran 3 chances, Australia ONE. Does that sound fair? Iran failed twice and made it while Australia failed once and didnt???

AUSTRALIA AND WORLD CUP WINNERS FRANCE WERE THE ONLY TWO TEAMS UNDEFEATED AT THE END OF THE 98 WORLD CUP.

2002: Uruguay had two chances of making the World Cup. Firstly by coming in the top 4 teams in S. America which they Failed. they passed their second chance. Australia again had once chance.

HOW COME EVERY OTHER TEAM HAS MORE THAN ONE CHANCE????

Hey im not saying Oceania should get its own place cause i dont think we deserve it but at least put us in the qualification process from the start. Merge us with Asia i say.

[Andy TAUS]

Have you seen our qualifying group?

Italy
Norway
Slovenia
Moldova
Belarus

All of them are better than anything tou will face in OCEANIA and Italy are better than whoever finishes 5th in COMNEBOL.Except for Italy I'd agree. But it doesn't matter how good the teams in your group you claim them to be, they just don't then have to playoff H&A against the 5th place team in CONMEBOL AFTER THEY'VE WON THEIR GROUP.

Jeez, I'd put my hard-earned money on the Solomon Islands beating Scotland in a proper group stage. Guess you wouldn't agree, but you've not seen them play in a tournament, have you.

[Gordon EF]

Except for Italy I'd agree. But it doesn't matter how good the teams in your group you claim them to be, they just don't then have to playoff H&A against the 5th place team in CONMEBOL AFTER THEY'VE WON THEIR GROUP.

Jeez, I'd put my hard-earned money on the Solomon Islands beating Scotland in a proper group stage. Guess you wouldn't agree, but you've not seen them play in a tournament, have you.

The Soloman Islands!!! Are you joking? Of course I've never seen them in a tournament, that's because they are absolutely pish. Scotland are unbeaten at home under Berti Vogts, that includes competitive wins over Faroe Islands, Lithuania, Iceland, Holland and a draw with Germany, which they were lucky to get. Do you think the Soloman Isles could hope to take anything from the Germans or the Dutch? Or even Iceland?

Of course the winner of that group will not have to play a CONMEBOL team because they would have earned their place in the WC.

Do you not think that if OCIANIA was so great, their best side would beat 5th placed CONMEBOL? And the fact that they never usually win their play-off, whoever it may be against, shows that CONMEBOL don't deserve an automatic place in the WC?

If the Soloman Islands were in that group, they would come bottom!

[Andy TAUS]

If the Soloman Islands were in that group, they would come bottom!No, they'd probably come in third after Germany & Holland in your Euro2004 group.

In your WCQ group for WC2006, they would be up there as well, with only Italy & Norway causing them any grief.