While on a road trip from L.A. to Seattle, just listened to a BBC podcast and I’m disappointed that I didn’t like how dejected and defeated the England players sounded, almost as if they’re already preparing to miss the World Cup. My jaw literally dropped while driving because they sounded awfully broken.
They missed out on direct qualification, played badly and know they have an extra four play-off games to play now. So clearly disappointed with themselves.
It isn't yet 100 percent that they've missed out on direct qualification, although it seems close to that. In the event that Spain loses or ties against Iceland in a few hours (highly unlikely, but not impossible), England can still qualify directly by beating Ukraine. Of course, there is probably only a one percent chance of that happening, but this is not yet a time to give up.
Play-off pots Path1 unseeded Hungary Greece Romania Belarus Kosovo Lithuania Croatia Kazakhstan Path 1 seeded England Norway Netherlands Italy Republic of Ireland Sweden Iceland Austria Path 2 unseeded Finland Belgium Turkey Czech Republic Albania Northern Ireland Slovakia Israel Path 2 seeded Slovenia Poland Serbia Ukraine Switzerland Portugal Scotland Wales Round 1 Path 1 unseeded vs Path 1 seeded Path 2 unseeded vs Path 2 seeded Round 2 Winner Path 2 vs Winner Path 1
Wait, I'm confused. Using Hungary as the example team. Hungary would play, for example, England (away and home) (Round 1) If Hungary wins, they would then play a team from Path 2 (eg. Finland). The winner of Hungary v. Finland match up (away and home) would qualify for the WC, yes? So, that is 4 additional teams, right?
32 teams play in Round 1, 16 in Round 2 and 8 win Round 2. The worst winner of Round 2 (based on position after league phase) plays Inter-confederation play-offs (in case of Hungary likely). Path 1 seeded is Position 5-12, Path 2 seeded is Position 13-20, Path 2 unseeded is Position 21-28 and Path1 unseeded is Position 29-36.
Yes, but at the FIFA interconfederation playoffs, there will be three winners. Three teams from those playoffs will get into the 2027 Women's World Cup. The idea that the European team in the interconfederation playoffs won't be one of those three seems unlikely.
Portugal vs Iceland, Switzerland vs Austria and Belgium/Poland vs Ireland should be the most interesting pairings.
In a more readable format: Slovakia / Ukraine vs Greece / England Finland / Serbia vs Belarus / Italy Northern Ireland / Portugal vs Croatia / Iceland Albania / Wales vs Romania / Norway Israel / Switzerland vs Kosovo / Austria Czechia / Scotland vs Lithuania / Sweden Belgium / Poland vs Kazakhstan / Republic of Ireland Türkiye / Slovenia vs Hungary / Netherlands Curious to see if any League B or C team make it to the world cup.
I agree: especially, only one surviving out of Belgium, Poland and Ireland is brutal! I've got the feeling at least one league B team should be doable.
England look to have an easy path. Looking at Rep of Ireland to make it through (this is hope). Looking at the potential Switzerland v. Austria match up. Is Scotland good enough to defeat Sweden (assuming that is the match up)?