I was checking the FIFA rankings, and the 32 top NTs are distributed thusly: 20 UEFA 7 CONMEBOL 3 CONCACAF 2 CAF The highest rated AFC team is Japan at #45. Something has gone terribly wrong with Asia. In OFC, New Zealand (arguably the only team in the region that matters) is #101. That confederation is a joke. Before the WC, the top 32 were: 20 UEFA 6 CONMEBOL 3 CONCACAF 3 CAF So Africa lost one, and South America got one more. UEFA, even though only got 6 out of 13 teams out of group, kept their 20.
...so... 70% of COMNEBOL teams are in the top 32 50% of COMNEBOL teams made it to group 37% of UEFA teams are in the top 32 11% of UEFA teams made it to group 7% of CONCACAF teams are in the top 32 7% of CONCACAF teams made it to group. 3.7% of CAF teams are in the top 32 2% of CAF teams made it to group.
You're not necessarily wrong about New Zealand being the only OFC team that matters... but I can't pass up the opportunity to tip my cap to Tahiti.
If you want a long back swing take a look at Zardes. By the time he's through, the gk has had time to open the telegram and dictate a reply "tks msg easy save".
I was referring to having made it out of the group of four teams that play in the round robin stage and into the single elimination stage. So, the group of 16 teams.
They should have it every 2 years. 4 years is way too long when the average soccer player's peak is probably a span of 4 years.
Why tip your hat to a team who got routed by everyone they played at the Confederations Cup? They're just another unremarkable minnow of world soccer, much like the Central American and Carribbean teams that the US plays against on a regular basis.
I'm disappointed that the euro cup has been expanded to 24 teams. Hopefully that doesn't drop the competitiveness of some of the games. It loses some of the story lines due to just being euro teams, but in terms of quality matches, it is definitely right up there with the WC. Luckily, we will be playing in the Copa America Centario around the same time. If we qualify for the Olympics, 2016 will be a great summer for watching soccer!!!