What if Israel makes it to Germany '06?

[fscat]

I'm sure this topic has been discussed before, but I was curious myself to what would happen. If Israel makes it to Germany '06, which they have a legitimate shot at doing, I don't think they would be put in the same group as Iran or any other Arabic country who has a dispute with Israel. However, if Israel and one of the other discussed countries advance into the knock-out round, they could theoretically play each other. What would happen then?

[MasterShake29]

If the draw is truly random, then they can, since Israel would be in the European pool. If an Arab team refuses to play them (and not all would, it depends which ones make it), then too bad, kick them out of the WC and ban them for a while. Israel should not be penalized because other countries have issues.

[Gary V]

Remember that US played Iran several years ago, and it was a great display of sportsmanship. Athletes can move beyond the politics of their individual countries.

[The Potter]

If the draw is truly random, then they can, since Israel would be in the European pool. If an Arab team refuses to play them (and not all would, it depends which ones make it), then too bad, kick them out of the WC and ban them for a while. Israel should not be penalized because other countries have issues.


Or just swap Isreal and another Euro team around surley.

[MasterShake29]

Or just swap Israel and another Euro team around surely.

No. Why should you accommodate anyone like that? So next WC some other nation complains, and then there will be no end and it will become a complete joke.

[Xevor]

First of all Iran is not an Arab country.
And if Isreal and Iran would have to play against each other it would be difficult for the Iranian gouvernment to not giving permission to play because the people in Iran love football. So it would only be bad for the gouvernment if they refuse to play.

[The Potter]

No. Why should you accommodate anyone like that? So next WC some other nation complains, and then there will be no end and it will become a complete joke.


If FIFA were thinking like that they wouldn't be allowed to qaulify but they are.So you then discard 2 years of qaulifying for the luck of the draw rather than rejig a bit.

[cdmphy]

It's important to remember the stink that the AFC has made about spots in the World Cup in recent years. To then have one of their nations refuse to play another team, would really hurt them politically, so the whole of Asia would apply pressure on a team that refused. The repurcussions would be harsh for the federation if they didn't force the team to play, because FIFA could use this to eliminate one to one and half of their slots to Oceania, who desperately want one, or to those who deserve one, S.A. and Europe.

If Ireland weren't in their group, I would actually root for them just to see how this played out.

[MasterShake29]

If FIFA were thinking like that they wouldn't be allowed to qaulify but they are.So you then discard 2 years of qaulifying for the luck of the draw rather than rejig a bit.

I don't understand what you're trying to say.

[The Potter]

I don't understand what you're trying to say.


If FIFA were to ban them they wouldn't put them though qualifying.

[MasterShake29]

No one is considering banning Iran or Israel or anyone else for 2006. The question is what would happen if a country were drawn against and then refused to play Israel (or anyone else) at the finals. Then banning would be considered.

[The Potter]

No one is considering banning Iran or Israel or anyone else for 2006. The question is what would happen if a country were drawn against and then refused to play Israel (or anyone else) at the finals. Then banning would be considered.


But why put them though 2 years of qualifying if this is even a possibilty

[metroflip73]

That would be awesome if Israel made it.

[MasterShake29]

Are you asking why let Israel qualify if some country which itself has to qualify might refuse to play them in the event they are drawn together to do so?

Any speculation on teams refusing to play each other is just that at this point. No one knows what will happen.

[Mani]

same group as Iran or any other Arabic country
1. Iran is not an Arab country.
2. If both Iran and Israel qualified, they would both end up in pot D of drawing.
3. The chances of Iran and Israel both qualifying and ending up in the same group are very slim.

[The Potter]

Are you asking why let Israel qualify if some country which itself has to qualify might refuse to play them in the event they are drawn together to do so?

Any speculation on teams refusing to play each other is just that at this point. No one knows what will happen.

Who's questioning allowing Isreal qaulifying :confused: . What I am saying is if in the very unlikely event of these two drawing each other arragements will probally be made like swapping Isreal with some other Euro team.

[mofo4life]

turkey vs israel would be great game, especially in Berlin :D

[MasterShake29]

Who's questioning allowing Isreal qaulifying :confused: . What I am saying is if in the very unlikely event of these two drawing each other arragements will probally be made like swapping Isreal with some other Euro team.

The correct spelling is Israel people. If you're not sure just look at the subject line.

Why should we accomodate teams that don't feel like joining with the rest of the world? What happens if a country decides they don't want to play the United States or England because of the war in Iraq? Should we accomodate them too? Or maybe someone won't want to play Netherlands because they're not hard enough on drugs or something. You see what this can lead to.

Teams don't get to decide their own draw, the balls do. Take it or leave it. The World Cup is a soccer tournament, not a negotiation.

[The Potter]

The correct spelling is Israel people. If you're not sure just look at the subject line.


Don't care



Why should we accomodate teams that don't feel like joining with the rest of the world? What happens if a country decides they don't want to play the United States or England because of the war in Iraq? Should we accomodate them too? Or maybe someone won't want to play Netherlands because they're not hard enough on drugs or something. You see what this can lead to.

Teams don't get to decide their own draw, the balls do. Take it or leave it. The World Cup is a soccer tournament, not a negotiation.

Well is any team refusing to play England or the U.S.A if not your just being pedantic.

If FIFA feel a country is unnaceptable they should suspend or ban them they know Iran's stance on Isreal and I have a tough time believeing they don't have the forsight to make accomidations if this happens.

[cdmphy]

I think the rhetoric against Iran is a little ridiculous. They are the one Muslim nation that has played Israel in the past. And the nation is soccer crazy, nobody, not even their Ayatollah, is going to risk seeing the nation out on such a political move. And Iran would be remiss not to play them considering how good their form is right now.

Saudi Arabia would cause some issues, no doubt about it. That's where your concern should lie.