Isn’t it because of the Nations League? IIRC, UEFA normally played played four qualifying games (in a 6-team group) in the fall immediately after a Euro/WC (I don’t recall the exact split between Sept., Oct., and Nov., but it’s 4 total). Then 1 each in March and June of the next year, even though they could play two if they wanted. Then 2 in Sept. and 2 in Oct. Then playoffs in November. Now the Nations League uses up those four matchdays in the fall immediately after a tournament. So they need to move those four games. They move 1 to March, 1 to June that were being used for friendlies. The other 2 are moved to the earliest possible date of November. So, it’s not possible to play the playoffs until March 2022, since November is now used for the main WCQ groups. The other possibility is playing the playoffs in June 2022. I suppose you could do this and then have the WC draw in June after the playoffs. Normally there’s about 6 months from the draw in December to the WC. For 2022, a June draw would give you closer to 5 months before the WC, which isn’t too bad. Is that what you’re suggesting?
I suppose you could wait a bit for the draw. We only have about 6 months from a WC draw to the tournament normally.
You could...but FIFA already have April 2022 marked on their calendar (woulda been clearer if I hadn't used "presumably").
I just checked the FIFA Int'l Calendar and UEFA's 2022 schedule follows the int'l dates on that calendar.
I see you are an Ivory Coast fan. Remember how Marc Wilmots destroyed Ivory Coast last cycle round, well seems he is doing the same to Iran this time.
Nobody knows, can't find the info anywhere. First game is supposed to be in March 2020 next international window.
UEFA's qualification system (with 2 NL group winners entering the play-offs): For World Cup 2026 UEFA will be allocated 16 instead of 13 spots. Sticking to only the group winners earning a direct ticket, they could simply go with 2 pots (6 seeded and 6 unseeded teams) to draw the play-offs. In each play-off, two teams, two games, home and away, for one World Cup ticket.
they will find the way to make it complicated just take a look into last EURO qualification, playoffs and the group draw ... you need IQ of 150 to figure it all out!
https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/28257518/wada-imposes-four-year-ban-russia is titled "WADA imposes four-year ban on Russia." The ban covers the 2020 Olympics, 2022 Olympics, and World Cup 2022. Russia has 21 days to appeal to CAS. Athletes who can prove they were not involved in doping could compete in the 2020 or 2022 Olympics without competing for any country. Nobody in the Russian government can attend these events. Russia cannot bid to host the 2032 Olympics or Paralympics. Major tournaments scheduled to be in Russia must be moved. Euro 2020, which will have games in St. Petersburg, is not considered a major tournament.
LOL I could see them excluding the Euros because it's not an inter-continental tournament, or something like that. But they can't seriously say it's not a major tournament. Only the Olympics and the World Cup are bigger.
I had a feeling Russia was cheating when their players had the most meters run in after the first round of the 2018 World Cup.
yup. Also the way their form was before the WC was horrible. Suddenly they became world beaters. very fishy IMO.
"Major tournament" includes all sports, so World Cups (or equivalents that don't have "World Cup" in their name) in hockey, basketball, cricket, rugby, baseball, handball, etc. might be considered bigger than the Euro. I'm not saying that Russia is good at many of those sports, but they are good at hockey.
His fanboys using WADA's terminology to argue that the Euros no longer count as a major tournament = CR7 having won nothing important with his country
EuroCup is excluded because - for legal reasons in order to eliminate the possibility the decision could be overturned on appeal - they decided to limit the ban only to international competition, not including competition limited to continents.
I think there might be scope to make an exception for 2022 WC, at least I hope so. Doping cannot make you a better player.
No, they just make you stronger and faster and gain more endurance without having to exercise as much. That gives players no advantages whatsoever in football.
I just read that Russia can play in the WC. They can use the name "Russia" in WCQs. If they qualify, they must use an alternate name in the WC.
Some "rules" to the club world cup and very likely to 2022. At first you'd think it's a joke, but then you remember where the tournaments are going to take place. Translation: no booze at stadiums and on the streets; can't walk around drunk no shorts/tank tops inside museums or public buildings no public display of affection flags inside the stadiums can't be out of FIFA standard
There is also a rule that says you can't enter the stadium after the Emir gets there as quite a few people found out when Qatar hosted the Asian Cup in 2011.