Structure of World Cup Games/Bracket

[grandinquisitor28]

I've got two questions. First off, on friday will we learn the order of the matches we play (and what day) in the World Cup? This is nearly as important as the group we actually draw, as the framework will deterimine whether we're lucky enough to potentially play the seeded team when it's resting players and/or saving guys with yellow card issues, or if we get teams with shakey mentalities first. In my opinion it's key that we get the seeded team either 1st or last. Secondly I was wondering when and how we'd learn how the bracket is set up. By this I mean, what group we'll be paired with for the Round of 16 etc? I looked back at '98 and '02, and the pairs were not the same so clearly they mix this up a bit. Will we find out who the first and second place finishers in each group will play on friday or is that assigned later? Any help and/or insights would be greatly appreciated.

[scaryice]

We will know everything Friday.

[goussoccer]

What you want to do is go to http://eur.i1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/i/eu/fifa/nsen.pdf. This is a schedule of all the matches. Then, once the draw is determined you will know which teams are A1 (actually we know that A1 is Germany and I think it is know which "1" Brazil is, but I am not sure), but the rest will be determined on Friday. Then the match schedule above will tell you the rest.

Does anyone know how, once the 'Groups' are drawn, the ranking within the groups occur? My assumption is that once the Groups are drawn, then the same ranking that gave us the top 8 seeds will be used to determine your 'position' within the group.

[VioletCrown]

Does anyone know how, once the 'Groups' are drawn, the ranking within the groups occur? My assumption is that once the Groups are drawn, then the same ranking that gave us the top 8 seeds will be used to determine your 'position' within the group.

Actually, no. Position within the group will be determined as part of the draw. They'll draw a team, then they'll draw a group, then they'll draw a number in that group 2-4. In other words, the position within the group will be random.

That is, assuming that you believe that the FIFA draw is random.

[goussoccer]

.....

That is, assuming that you believe that the FIFA draw is random.

Actually, I don't believe that. In fact, I seem to remember FIFA saying something to the effect that even the 'pot draw' would be reviewed to ensure no 'unfair' discrepencies between groups.

Overall I guess in a round-robin format it really doesn't matter whether you are 2-4 in the group phase. Just depends on when and where you play.

Thanks...

[swedust]

I seem to remember FIFA saying something to the effect that even the 'pot draw' would be reviewed to ensure no 'unfair' discrepencies between groups.

As of today the official line is that spots 2-4 are drawn randomly; the only discretion is ensuring that regional opponents (other than EUFA) do not meet in group play.

[goussoccer]

As of today the official line is that spots 2-4 are drawn randomly; the only discretion is ensuring that regional opponents (other than EUFA) do not meet in group play.

I agree that that is the official line. This site: http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/051202/1/5g1d.html had the following quote in it that I thought was interesting:

"The 24 remaining teams will then be assigned to Pots 2, 3 and 4 in such a way as to achieve the best possible geographical distribution between the groups. As soon as a team is drawn, another draw will be made to allocate this team its place in a group. Finally, so as to maintain the suspense to the end and most importantly, protect the integrity of the draw process, the order in which the pots will be drawn may be varied. "

That to me smacks of manipulation of the group draws. There is no predetermined random process. The key word there is MAY be varied. Given FIFA's history this provides a wide loophole for them during the draw - especially as the number of teams in the pot becomes smaller and smaller.

[FirstStar]

I agree that that is the official line. This site: http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/051202/1/5g1d.html had the following quote in it that I thought was interesting:

"The 24 remaining teams will then be assigned to Pots 2, 3 and 4 in such a way as to achieve the best possible geographical distribution between the groups. As soon as a team is drawn, another draw will be made to allocate this team its place in a group. Finally, so as to maintain the suspense to the end and most importantly, protect the integrity of the draw process, the order in which the pots will be drawn may be varied. "

That to me smacks of manipulation of the group draws. There is no predetermined random process. The key word there is MAY be varied. Given FIFA's history this provides a wide loophole for them during the draw - especially as the number of teams in the pot becomes smaller and smaller.

Welcome, my friend, to the world of Euro-centric multnational politics.

[goussoccer]

Welcome, my friend, to the world of Euro-centric multnational politics.

Been aware of that for awhile. The most amazing part of the quote to me though is the statement 'to protect the integrity of the draw'. What a crock. The first reason, I believe, is more important to them than the integrity of the draw and the biggest reason isn't stated - manipulating which teams go in which groups.

[auf Amerika]

Here is the breakdown of the Round of 16, since nobody posted it.

One side is:

A1 (Germany etc.) vs. B2
C1 vs. D2

E1 vs. F2 (Brazil etc.)
G1 vs. H2

Other side is:

B1 vs. A2 (Germany etc.)
D1 vs. C2

F1 (Brazil etc.) vs. E2
H1 vs. G2


So, as we all know, Germany and Brazil cannot play each other until at least the semifinals.

I wonder what this breakdown will mean to pre-Cup friendlies. Should a team play a team it might face in the round of 16 and round of 8 so it at leasts knows who they are, or does it avoid them out of fear of losing and being intimidated by them? Interesting.

[mschofield]

anyone know exactly how they draw? I don't mean in general, but specifically? Do they use ping pong balls, sealed envelopes, what?

[7Jam]

Will FIFA manipulate the draw so that teams that qualified against each other won't be in the same group? (e.g., England/Poland or Spain/Serbia). Or maybe to avoid group rematches from '02? (USA/Portugal, Sweden/Argentina, etc.). This wouldn't be a bad idea, IMO.