Group A is much more likely to have a debutant as 3 of the six teams in it haven't made it before. I agree that Uzbekistan is the most likely of the three, but I don't think they will get there. Only Thailand in Group B hasn't been to the finals and I think its unlikely they will do so this time. I don't think Asia will have a team that hasn't qualified before.
This is all the more true now. But they do have a difficult qualifying group. Very few UEFA nations have never qualified for a WC though come to think of it. Albania seems to be the next most likely, but they're grouped with Italy and Spain. Then maybe Montenegro(?). Wales are probably the most likely fresh face but they wouldn't be new. I guess if Iceland can't navigate their difficult path then no new UEFA nation will be going to Russia.
Albania may be less likely now that Kosovo are part of the process if they lose several of their players as a result. Kosovo themselves are a possibility for a new qualifier, though they start of as bottom seeds so are up against it of course. I know this is going on a bit of a technicality but Israel might be a shout for a new UEFA qualifier for the World Cup. They have qualified before as an Asian nation - 1970 - but would be a new UEFA one if they were to make it. Yes, I know, I know...only new on a technicality!!
They probably aren't going to rank ahead of Spain and/or Italy, even Albania (unless they lose a lot of players to Kosovo). And they already qualified in the past anyway
Iceland has Croatia, Ukraine and Turkey in their group (as well as Finland and Kosovo). They've already finished ahead of Turkey in a group, and Ukraine has not impressed lately. Barring injury, the core of the Icelandic team will remain intact for WC qualifying. So I think Iceland should at least be favored to make the UEFA playoff, if not qualifying for the WC outright ahead of Croatia. This Euro run is no doubt giving them valuable experience and confidence for the WC qualifying campaign.
Agreed. They will get 4th in the Hex and go through against the 5th place AFC team in the intercontinental playoff. Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk
I think it's a little premature to say the Panama is going to beat the 5th place AFC team until you know who it is. After all, right now that would be either Japan or South Korea....
I know that, and I think Panama can beat either one. They've been picking up steam for years now. Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk
my face when Panama play China in the playoff and "penalti to China" every 10 minutes because millions of reasons.
China has 1 point through 4 games and is 6 points behind third place South Korea. China probably needs to win their next two games, which are both at home, to have a chance at qualifying. China hosts Qatar tomorrow and hosts South Korea in March followed by a probable loss at Iran.
Over Costa Rica? hmmm i mean it could happen but i don't think it will Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk
I see Uzbekistan actually making it directly. They missed out last time choking against Jordan. Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk
I doubt it somehow. The Uzbeks still have to play the top 3 teams in their division away from home. But I guess we'll know a lot more in the next 24 hours.
Their momentum is really good atm, and I see them drawing on the road, possibly even winning one. Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk
I think they will finish 3rd in Group A and lose to the 3rd placed team from Group B in the Asian Playoff.
That's exactly what happened to them in their last qualification, don't see them choking a 2nd time in a row. Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk
They didn't choke, they lost. The same will happen this time. They will finish 3rd as they aren't as good as Iran or Korea but much better than the other 3 teams, and they will lose the playoff because there are 4 teams in group B better than them and one of these will come 3rd.
They lost because they choked. They were at home and winning 1-0 from the 5th minute. Jordan ties in the 43rd and they end up tying all the way through extra time and lose by penalties. If that isn't choking, I don't know what is. And I reiterate, I don't see that happening this time around. Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk