they'd get wrecked in the proposed playoff qualifiers, New Zealand has their guaranteed WC spot reinstated for the next century. AFC isn't rubbish, as Japan, Korea and Australia have all made significant impacts in previous WCs, and Iran is pure quality today playing well above the confed's standards. It's just that the drop-off after those four teams is shocking. I still think it's ridiculous anyone would seriously question Uruguay's chances of advancing, it's Egypt that should be on high alert now after this. Also, it's GD and GF for tiebreakers before we get to head to head records, so even if they're all tied at 5 apiece goals scored will matter. Russia definitely has the huge leg up not on GD but on GF as well.
Well, that must be a new rulechange, I think, I'm positive previous tournaments (or perhaps I was thinking of Euros?) had the old rules. Kinda dumb, to be honest, imagine beating your direct rival 2:0 and still not progressing because they had a 5:5 goal difference and you have 4:4... One more goal scored overall takes precedence over a convincing head-to-head win...
After seeing Saudi Arabia tonight I honestly fret for Qatar's performance in 2022. Say what you want but South Africa at least did not disgrace themselves...
Sure. Egypt is the underdog tomorrow and if they lose they are going to find it very hard to come back. But let's wait and see until tomorrow's game... BTW Salah rumoured to be starting tomorrow. And having one of the favorites for the Balon d'Or playing significantly levels the playing field...
Yep, different opinions . I do agree with you that 32 is probably the ideal WC size, 48 will bring problems not just with team quality. But the mighty $$$...
It is not new. Uefa favors face to face results Fifa favors general results Euro and wc got different rules.
They're not even one of the best 5 teams in Asia, but they would still have qualified ahead of USA regardless. USA sucks.
I agree. There is a weird tendency. Clashes between two Arab teams are always tight because it's kind of a derby and the favourite plays down to the level of the outsider and vice versa. Saudi Arabia might get points against Egypt. I wouldn't be surprised a bit.
Different country different dynamic... You will understand soon that beat Russia in Russia in an official game is harder than you thought.
um... doesn't goal differential mean the difference between goals scored vs goals conceded?? Not sure...
Look at previous cups. It is unlikely Uruguay will outdo Russia. Saudi Arabia will be in damage limitation mode.
Saudi would qualify ahead of the team that lost to Trinidad & Tobago in a playoff match, yes, but that team would probably walk away from this tournament with a better (and more competitive record) I kind of like a shellacking every now and then and am excited to see what Salah, Suarez and Cavani can do to these hapless lads. Also to the people thinking that an expansion means automatically worse teams than SA... remember Italy, Netherlands, Chile and yes a historically competitive USA side are all not here. Neither are Ghana, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Paraguay, Bosnia, Czechs, Wales, Slovakia, or even New Zealand and Honduras. So there is still plenty more quality to fit into a WC. It's just the allocations aren't done really well, and will get worse in 2026...
To me world cup should be about the best teams in the world playing to be world champion...but it is just my opinion.
it's true, though. The Saudis did have superior ball possession, and the fact that they passed sideways and backwards (just like I've also said in an earlier post) doesn't mean that your statement is true