I still don't trust Bolillo Gomez can win in the USA against Bruce Arena. No matter how badly USA has played I think they find a way to get three points while Panama's confidence goes down a bit.
Panama qualifies with a win as if Honduras loses to Costa Rica, which will probably happen. Plus, Panama has not lost to the US since the 2013 Gold Cup final.
Well, The same happened to Mexico WCQ ironically heading into the final matches last cycle. They found a way to barely get past Panama and the USA helped them out and saved their behinds. Panama seems to crap the bed when they really get down to it. And Gomez is just Mr. mediocrity.
The game in Orlando between Panama and USA is crucial : the winner will be almost in Russia 2018. will Panama be that debutante ? or history will prevail and USA takes the ticket ?
Slovakia had their first WC in 2010. It's a little complicated, because they were once part of Czechoslovakia, but FIFA considers Czech Republic to be the successor of Czechoslovakia. Serbia had their first in 2010 too, but they are the successors of Yugoslavia and Serbia & Montenegro according to FIFA. So theirs does not count as a first, but Slovakia's does.
Just from memory I'll add Trinidad and Tobago were new in 2006, China were new in 2002, South Africa were new in 98. Not sure about 94, or, though it was probably mentioned earlier in this thread, who was new in Brazil 2016. Is it possible there has never been a WC without a new team? New winners is also a fun one. Predict the next one. Belgium, 2018 anyone? My prediction would be USA in 2026.
You can go to http://www.footballseeding.com/coca-cola-ranking-fifa/ and look down the column for every World Cup and to the left for each team in it to see how many World Cups that team had been in before.
Well well well... Iceland it is! Unless someone believes they won't beat Kosovo at home on final matchday...
Iceland with one foot in Russia ! especially after the draw between Croatia and Finland. A win in Reikiavik against Kosovo and ready !
It now looks like Panama will at least reach the playoff (probably with Australia). Costa Rica's late equalizer at home against Honduras means Panama probably need only match Honduras' result on the final matchday in order to qualify (they have the same number of points, but Panama's goal difference is +5 higher). Given that Honduras' last match is against Mexico, it will probably draw at best (unless an already qualified Mexico takes it real easy). This means a draw against Costa Rica at home would be enough for Panama to finish fourth. It can also still technically finish third if it beats Costa Rica, but that would either require the United States to lose in Trinidad and Tobago or Panama to beat Costa Rica by a very large margin, neither of which is very likely to happen. If it does reach the playoffs, I'm not sure at this point what would happen. Pedigree would suggest Australia would win, but pedigree is not the same thing as how good the teams are now. Any thoughts?
Sorry to come late but indeed you're correct. There's even a full list of FIFA official successor teams over here for those interested: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_men's_national_association_football_teams#Former_national_football_teams The big surprise to me is Vietnam being the successor team of South Vietnam, considering the North actually won the war. But apparently North Vietnam wasn't a FIFA member back at the time. For what it's worth, Slovakia was the only first-timer in 2010, but it actually participated earlier as part of Czechoslovakia. Same is true as well with Bosnia being the only first-timer in 2014, but having already participated as part of Yugoslavia.
Don't bet on it. Iceland has a pretty slow population growth and a declining birth-rate so they might break their own record in 4/8/12 years, especially with the WC expansion coming in 2026. I mean, they do have a good u-17 squad right now too.
This is very impressive. Very small population yet they're running a great football program, CONCACAF federations should learn from Iceland.
They didn't have any big teams, but still qualifying ahead of Croatia, Turkey is impressive. Still - no weak teams, but Iceland likely the UEFA team everyone will want in their group.