yepp. will be interesting to see if two worst teams from 2022 made any progress in a match that might determine who goes to the second round
FIFA doesn't deduct ranking points for losses in the WC knockout stage, so they'll probably still be in the top 10 somehow after next year.
I felt the same when took my first honeymoon during the 1990 World Cup. Caught a few games in Dalmatian bars but didn't feel like I missed much.
The more I think about it, the 3 hosts dont have as easy groups as they seem initially, especially if Denmark, Italy, and Turkey get through. US will have to break down a bunkering Paraguay and Australia. They might actually match up better against slightly better sides who play more attacking football. Then throw Turkey in the mix. Canada may have Italy and Switzerland. Mexico have the best draw, but are the worst of the hosts IMO. Denmark is good and Korea could potentially be tricky. Ultimately Mexico will have the toughest home atmosphere for opponents.
I agree. Belgium is also now my most likely candidate to end up 3-0-0 in the group stages, with the second place being Spain considering my team's current form. I agree with France. Brazil and England, I think it entirely depends on how they do in their first match vs Morocco and Croatia respectively, if they don't lose there I think they will win the group 100%. Say Brazil ties with Morocco, I think they will pump out more goals vs Haiti than Morocco and thus win their group
Ehhh, depends on which Brazil we see. I could see Morocco either beating them or outscoring them against Haiti. I'd also add Portugal because of Colombia, plus, DR Congo, if they make it, could be a sneaky tough rival.
I consider Mexico as the current worst team out of the three hosts but I believe they are the most probable out of the three hosts to win their group, specially if Denmark doesn't win their play-off. They got the most favorable draw and will have the biggest home advantage with the heat + altitude of the Azteca. Even if Denmark wins their play-off I'm not sure how they will fare above 2200 meters with a hot climate.
What? We failed to beat North-Macedonia during qualifying. Not once, but twice. We scored one goal against them in 180 minutes of football. I am almost certain we are not winning all three games in this group, even if we go through.
Ehhh. Iran is on the decline and was never that good, New Zealand isn't great either and Egypt is Salah and not that much else. You should get at least 7 points in that group.
For once we finally get a good/easy draw. But of course the timing is never right. If we got this group in any of our past 3 world cups we would have advanced. We have a talent drought right now (our last talent drought was in 2008-2012, which led to missing out on world cup 2010, while the current drought is not as bad, it is still not looking good), our best players are old and not many special replacements yet. Also a weak coach who has failed at the international level in the past (threw away the 2007 Asian Cup that had our name written on it by not being able to score on South Korea's B team and getting knocked out on penalties) and is no better this time around. We will likely finish 4rth, but there is a 50% chance we might finish 3rd. But even then, its a coin toss as to whether we will finish in the top 8 3rd ranks teams.
Just watched the first part of the draw show now. So cheaply done. Just a mess of unrelated video clips, audio dropping in and out, some dude nobody knows running up and down the aisle, no choreography, embarrassing scattered applause for the speakers when they took stage, all the audience on their phones, etc. FIFA couldn't have spent more than $300 putting this together.
Yup. Could be the most expensive Group match ticket in World Cup history. I am trying to sell a kidney as I type this.
Easily Portugal. They'll be playing a very good opponent, possibly in a hostile venue. Then Netherlands since Japan are really good and first matches always have higher upset potential. Finally Brazil, but I think they'll get better at the actual tournament. I can see a draw with Morocco.
That peace participation trophy looks like a bunch of people drowning, grasping for a floating object in the Caribbean Sea before getting bombed.
I will say France has a chance of not winning their group only cause it is going to be tough against Senegal and Norway.
Where are all the people that said Argentina would get to play in Miami? They look like start in SF or KC and then have 2 games in Dallas.
That matchup between England and Croatia massive too. Winner gets a 3rd place team but loser gets the runner up between Portugal/Colombia