That's right, which means Australia will only use 2 of the 4 matchdays in June for WCQ. Other confederations aren't out of time with their current formats, Asia is which makes me wonder are they going to change their format in someway.
Going back to the CONCACAF talk things just got a little more interesting for Panama. Guus Hiddink is now the manager of Curacao. I respect him and his tactics and maybe Panama is not favorite anymore in my eyes. All bets are off and they are even.
Trinidad and Tobago could be suspended at the virtual FIFA Congress on Friday September 18. https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/d...ce-and-accusations-against-infantino.2110050/ has information about the dispute that hasn't been resolved.
I wouldn't go that far until if and when T&T is suspended. It makes it annoying for my prediction contest when teams drop out or forfeit for using ineligible players. It's simple to ignore score predictions for games that don't happen, but I make each part worth a certain percentage, and I don't like when groups have unequal amounts of teams. Anyone who wants to predict Concacaf can do so at https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/c...up-2022-prediction-contest-round-1-r.2110827/
Outrageous if that happens! Whatever happens this should be a lesson learned - i.e. don't have a draw for round 2 before the end of round 1 (or at least not before round 1 even starts). And of course made worse in this instance since the top seeds were assigned their groups rather than randomly drawn into them.
There was actually no draw for Round 2. It was pre determined. I think its a bit premature. I bet the situation somehow gets resolved just in time.
Yeah, that's what I meant but maybe I wasn't clear. And this issue around T&T pre-dates the fixed "draw". Only in CONCACAF.
Qatar: Migrant workers still suffering ahead of FIFA 2022, new report claims https://www.euronews.com/2020/08/24...rkers-not-paid-or-paid-too-late-report-claims
I get it that USSF lost many tens of millions with the failure to qualify for WC18. I think they want to make sure it doesn't happen again so any short term gain in ticket sales would be insignificant compared to the $s lost if the USMNT fails to qualify again. So they need to choose venues wisely. So what NFL stadiums do you realistically think they can sell out, even for a WCQ, with mostly home fans? Unless there is some huge jump in interest, I think it's s short list and TBH I'm not sure they could even do it in the NY area or Chicago especially vs a non-marque opponent like Jamaica or Honduras or one of the 3 qualifying teams or maybe even against anyone else but Mexico. My assumption being that they would put the match somewhere far from large communities of opposing fans; e.g., not screw up and put USA v CRC in the NY metro area again.
After thinking about it for awhile I'm starting to agree with your points. Put all the qualifiers in MLS Stadiums. Save the big stadiums for friendlies and send off series. However, I do think Seattle and Atlanta could do it for a WCQ but they both have field turf. Of the grass stadiums your right Chicago is probably it.
The issue with friendlies is the lack of interest. I've traveled to a couple dozen USMNT games in the last 5+ years or so. There is zero chance I'm traveling to a friendly before maybe the WC22 sendoffs in late 2022 if I'm super motivated/ excited and it's close to me. In the 13 months between March 2021 and March 2022, there are going to be 2 Nation's League matches, probably 6 Gold Cup Matches, and 14 WCQs. I'm saving my travel funds for some of those 22 meaningful games. I don't travel to friendlies anymore except the ones we bus up to in LA each camp cupcake that usually draw like 6,500 fans filling a fraction of the 27K Dignity Health can hold. Unless they schedule Brazil, Argentina, or one of the huge UEFA teams I don't think USMNT can even fill a MLS stadium for a friendly. They haven't announced yet where the Nation's League semi/final will be. That's CONCACAF though not a USMNT decision, but it should be a big stadium where a lot of Mexican fans can attend easily too as I'm sure most are hoping for a USA v MEX final. Then there's the Gold Cup which of course is always hosted by the US and which is again a CONCACAF gig, so venues will be chosen to maximize crowds without regard to favoring the USMNT. I mean, it's only fair as the tournament is hosted in the US every single cycle. I think those are the only chances for NFL sized stadiums for the knockouts.
Send off series which is usually three friendlies right before the World Cup always draws well. The issue this time is you are now playing those during the NFL season instead of late May early June. They'll have to be crafty in scheduling those in stadiums where teams are away or on bye weeks. With limited amount of friendlies because of the pandemic and nations league my guess is they will only schedule the two South American giants and or the top 6 or 7 from Europe if there was a adate open for a dfriendly.
September 2022's out of the question, as both UEFA and Concacaf have Nations League games scheduled for then, so we'd be looking at pre-WC friendlies in early/mid November.
I looked up both the 2010 and 2014 cycles and you're right. The final sendoff in Jacksonville in 2014 drew 52K and the other two drew well too (mid-20s/sell out in Red Bull). Assuming USMNT qualifies (another discussion altogether), I think the interest level by late 2022 will be back up near 2014 levels and a large NFL stadium makes sense if they can schedule around the NFL, which shouldn't be that hard. As for friendlies between now and the Nations League semis in March, they'd have a hard time selling out an MLS stadium, especially if it's only domestic-based players as GB said will be the case in October. The interest level just isn't there, even if a miracle COVID vaccine/cure suddenly appeared. My comment about Brazil/Argentina/UEFA giants wasn't meant to imply I think it'll happen, my point was the USMNT alone without a major marquee opponent is not enough at present to come even close to filling a 50K+ NFL stadium. I'm sure both sides would like it as it means a big payday, but with COVID restrictions and the packed qualifying schedule it would be really difficult to pull that off.
With the calendar aside from something maybe this October or November we likely wouldn't have friendlies until June 2022 and beyond.
Berhalter stated recently that the plan is for 2 friendlies in the US this October (in 2 months) with US-based players only and then in November away versus a European opponent with only Euro-based USMNT players. As far as I know there is nothing firm announced yet, but this sounds reasonable. I don't know how difficult it'll be to find opponents and line up venues but I imagine there are many countries trying to sort things out so it'll get done.
Yeah I mentioned aside from the friendlies in October and November. My guess is they would be with limited fans so I'm not sure US Soccer cashing out and playing in an NFL stadium makes sense.
I guess they could opt to play it in a state that allows fans. Our local team played in front of fans in Utah and it looks like RSL are selling tickets for their game vs LA tomorrow.
I have not seen this posted. Does this force CONMEBOL to play its qualifiers in Europe? What about Americans, Mexicans, and other non-European players in Europe? 🚨 #ALERTA: #FIFA modifica la normativa de cesión de jugadores a selecciones por la pandemia. Un club puede negarse si futbolista debe cumplir cuarentena de al menos cinco días, si existen restricciones de viaje o si autoridades no conceden exención de cuarentena a seleccionados. pic.twitter.com/DB1ON9ChHk— doble amarilla ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@okdobleamarilla) August 24, 2020
That Tweet ^ in English: Translated from Spanish by #ALERTA : #FIFA modifies the regulations for the transfer of players to national teams due to the pandemic. A club can refuse if a footballer must serve a quarantine of at least five days, if there are travel restrictions or if authorities do not grant exemption from quarantine to selected players. (I would translate it as "release," not "transfer")
My guess is they would cancel the matches if it were USMNT situation as they'd just bbe friendlies in October and November. As for CONMEBOL they'd probably be forced to cancel.