Qatar with back-to-back AFC titles. Their substantial investment into the national team programme may not have paid off at the World Cup, but it sure led to Asian glory.
I do not like the idea of a team who lost 4-0 at home winning anything but hey. I have to give them credit. Ivory Coast just never ever gave up and found ways do win.
Football is football. Anything can happen on any given day. Including complete anomalies like that 4-0 loss. You could also say I dont like the idea of a team who lost to Saudi Arabia winning the world cup. It how you finish though. You get through the group and knock out the teams on front of you. CIV did that. It's a great story. One of the best of all time.
I say both and agree with both sentiments. Although I kinda saw the Saudi Arabia possibility happening. I was one of the few around here that gave them a chance cause I knew they would have good, loud supporters in Qatar. Nobody, I mean nobody saw 0-4 at home to EG for CIV.
Georgia qualify for the Euros for the first time, beating Greece in the relevant playoff (on penalties).
All 3 Nations League playoffs were tight. Poland beat Wales in a shootout and Ukraine edged Iceland with a late goal. Now that I think about it, it would have been pretty disastrous for Poland if they didn't qualify for a 24-team Euro.
CAF Still Not Sure When Exactly Morocco Should Host 2025 AFCON https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/20...e-when-exactly-morocco-should-host-2025-afcon
Euros with 26 player rosters: https://sports.yahoo.com/uefa-confirm-26-man-squads-094228411.html Looks like a permanent increase.
VAR offsides 'could be BANNED from Euro 2024 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...tournament-Germany-just-three-weeks-away.html
Thought this was very interesting about ticket sales for the Euros. The most tickets are being purchased by people living in USA and Canada. https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-euro/fans-from-usa-lead-all-ticket-sales-for-euro-2024-in-germany/
The extent American fans have to go through to experience a football tournament outside their country. I imagine quite a bit of it is ticket scalpers: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cxe84502rl3o.amp
This is why I can't help but think the following when I hear silly rumors like Euros in America or 39th EPL match overseas: "Football doesn't have to come here. We're more than happy to go to Europe."
I wonder whether Germany looked better than they are given Scotland didn't provide challenging opposition tonight?
Scotland were on the backfoot from the start and seemed a step behind all through the game. Germany were good, but Scotland made it easier for them.
The OFC Nations Cup has started with co-host Vanuatu beating Solomon Islands 1-0. Those two are in a three-team group with New Zealand after New Caledonia withdrew due to political unrest at home, so the win means Vanuatu has a strong chance of advancing to the semifinals.