There are some countries, some of them good ones, that have never made it to the WC finals. Ukraine, Ghana, Venezuela, Qatar, Finland, Guatemala, Cote d'Ivoire, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Slovakia, Liberia, Bosnia-Herzegovina are some examples. Wich one of them do you think has more chances to do it at this point? My pick is Ukraine. They've almost made it in the last 2 WCQs but failed in the playoffs against Croatia and Germany. I think their time is coming.
Without seeing the draw it's hard to select who is a good bet to make their first ever World Cup. Ukraine is a pretty good choice but I'd also add an African country like Cote D'Ivoire or Mali as outside shots to make it if they get a good draw. Both have talented teams.
i keep wondering when finland is going to put together a successful qualification - i think some good talent is there
even before the draw at this moment i am sure no teams from asia will debut. i believe iraq has better chance than qatar.
Ghana better qualifies this time around..... I do believe Ukraine has the strongest chance if they are NOT grouped in a group of death or in a playoff match against a top team.
iceland has had a pretty decent team for the past couple of years. i believe they came within 3 or so points of getting 2nd place in their group in WC2002 qualifying, and are in a position to qualify for euro 2004.
The Czech Republic is the most likely newcomer. Since splittling in half they haven't made the big time, but combined with Slovakia as Czechoslavakia, they qualified 8 times. Another first time candidate moving up in the FIFA ratings is Zimbabwe.
I believe FIFA credits the Czech Republic as the successor of the former Czechoslovakia, the same way that Russia is the inheritor of the old USSR, for them.
Not after they lost to the Seychelles this past weekend. Perhaps the game will serve as a wake-up call.....
Africa: Ivory Coast and/or Ghana. Concacaf: Guatemala, behind the goals of Carlos Ruiz beats Iran in the playoff for a fourth CONCACAF spot, setting off a week of celebrations in Guatemala City and certain neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Then, drawing Germany in the opening game of the World Cup in Munich, they suffer a goleada of epic proportions. But they battle back for a victory against Sweden in the second game: that sets off another week of celebrating in Guatemala City and certain neighborhoods of Los Angeles.
Looking at the crappy FIFA ranks, the top teams to never qualify are: 45. Finland 47. Ukraine 52. Trinidad & Tobago 53. Slovakia 55. Zimbabwe 58. Guatemala 59. Thailand 59. Ivory Coast 61. Estonia 63. Venezuela 67. Ghana 69. Zambia 70. Iceland 71. Qatar 72. Bosnia 74. Mali 75. Jordan 76. Belarus 78. Kenya 79. Latvia If Guatemala doesn't draw a group of death in the semifinals, they have a good chance of making the hexagonal, and could possibly finish in the top 4. I'd pick them over any likely #5 team from Asia. Most of the teams from other confederations are long shots, but could have a reasonable chance if they get a weak draw and put together a good run. I'd pick Ukraine, Finland, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Thailand, or Qatar as the most likely, though if I recall, Senegal came out of nowhere to qualify in '02.
Interesting post StymieG. The reason I picked Thailand earlier is because Asia's qualifying is so weird. I think they could make it as a fourth place team like China did no problem if they get a favorable draw.
I would say the African and Asian teams are the safest bets. Venezeula are the only South American country (who are members of FIFA) not to qualify and there just isn't the interest in football that the other countries in this region have. Europe has such a large pool of established footballing countries its difficult for someone like Finland or Iceland to make it. Ghana, Ivory Coast are obvious choices but keep an eye on Mali - they made a good account of themselves in last years African Nations. In Asia, Qatar is attracting a lot of talent to its league (admittedly veterens of European leagues) so some of that should rub off on the locals. Also, whisper it quietly, but Iraq might make it - they're really not that bad. Wouldn't it be a great way to celebrate their free society by qualifying for the biggest sporting event in the world. You heard it here first folks.