FIFA shuffles around Football World Cup berths

[Imran Siddiqui]

I'd rather see a 3rd or 4th NA team go than a 15th or 16th European team go. They've got enough teams in the competition already. If you can't be in the top 14 of your area, then you don't deserve to go. Yeah, sad for Holland, but come on... they weren't in the Top 15 in Europe.

At some point the 'World' Cup has to live up to its name because in this case 'World' stands for the globe and not the name of a newspaper (like the American 'World' Series does).

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by reds4ever


Youre looking at a draw, that was my point!

eg

Group A

Brazil
Italy
Canada
Honduas
Equador
Wales

if Brazil and Italy draw then the group is a joke?

(Sorry, I misread your post before.)

How so? If Brazil and Italy draw and perform equally (i.e win all other games) then how is using goals scored or goal difference an unfair method to seperate the teams. I don't think it any more unfair than the current method of penalty shootout in the knockout phase.

[Imran Siddiqui]

How so? If Brazil and Italy draw and perform equally (i.e win all other games) then how is using goals scored or goal difference an unfair method to seperate the teams. I don't think it any more unfair than the current method of penalty shootout in the knockout phase.

Well, one problem I would have with this (it is similar, but much lessened currently) is that it entices teams to just kick the **** out of the lower level teams by 8-0 or some unGodly score. Doesn't promote good sportsmanship, ya know?

[Dauphin]

Germany-Saudi Arabia ring a bell?

[reds4ever]

When has a penalty shoot out decided who qualifies from group? that happenens in the knock out stages, not the group stages. (let me guess, youre a Yank?)

The point is you havn't separated the two teams effectively! The 'who kicks the sh1t out of the little counties best' system will never catch on ;O) and a spare wink for the yank bit (in brackets)

[yavoon]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

How so? If Brazil and Italy draw and perform equally (i.e win all other games) then how is using goals scored or goal difference an unfair method to seperate the teams. I don't think it any more unfair than the current method of penalty shootout in the knockout phase.

Well, one problem I would have with this (it is similar, but much lessened currently) is that it entices teams to just kick the **** out of the lower level teams by 8-0 or some unGodly score. Doesn't promote good sportsmanship, ya know?

I consider holding back in real competition(not friendlies) to be insulting to the team being beatan. and 8-0 scores are infinitely more interesting than 2-0.

[Dauphin]

The 'who kicks the sh1t out of the little counties best' system will never catch on

What system do you prefer?

I'm always being told that there are no easy games in international football. Or is that just an excuse for England's poor performances against the minnows of world football?

[reds4ever]

No, Crunch, England are top 10 AT BEST, but the groups need to allow for two strong teams. Otherwise, if you seed the teams,under your system, the best teams will be split up into their own groups and qualify easily.( even less chance for the 'minnows') You always need that second qualifiying spot no matter what system you decide on if only to keep the group lively throughout! Heres one for your system

Brazil
Canada
Mexico
Wales
NZ

Brazil wins her first 2 games, wheres the competition in the group after that? Remeber fans have travelled half the world to watch these games

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by reds4ever
No, Crunch, England are top 10 AT BEST, but the groups need to allow for two strong teams. Otherwise, if you seed the teams,under your system, the best teams will be split up into their own groups and qualify easily.( even less chance for the 'minnows') You always need that second qualifiying spot no matter what system you decide on if only to keep the group lively throughout! Heres one for your system

Brazil
Canada
Mexico
Wales
NZ

Brazil wins her first 2 games, wheres the competition in the group after that? Remeber fans have travelled half the world to watch these games

I'll just point out now that my system is an alternative, NOT what I think we should do. I think 32 teams is more than enough. Any more and whatever system you have will leave it a Mickey Mouse system with the worse teams playing without hope of qualifying for the later rounds. If you want the top two qualifying in a system with 6 teams you have too many games for a team to play. I suggested only the top go through so as to reduce the number of games a team plays.

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by Big Crunch


I'll just point out now that my system is an alternative, NOT what I think we should do. I think 32 teams is more than enough. Any more and whatever system you have will leave it a Mickey Mouse system with the worse teams playing without hope of qualifying for the later rounds. If you want the top two qualifying in a system with 6 teams you have too many games for a team to play. I suggested only the top go through so as to reduce the number of games a team plays.

Does it? You play the same number of group games whether you qualify or not!

[Dauphin]

Any team that reaches the final will have to play an extra game. (i.e 9: 5 group and 4 knockout vs 5 group and 3 knockout). Presently the finalists have to play 7 games and I think 9 is too many for a month long tournament.

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by reds4ever
(let me guess, youre a Yank?)

No.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I'm suprised you didn't run and clock him, BC . I'd imagine in football being called a Yank isn't a good thing to a Brit .

[Dauphin]

I didn't correct him earlier as I was interested in seeing how him thinking I was a Yank influenced his opinion of my opinions.

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by Big Crunch
I didn't correct him earlier as I was interested in seeing how him thinking I was a Yank influenced his opinion of my opinions.

Alright, alright, so I jumped to conclusions

But to save 2 teams 2 games each at the expense of knocking out (6? or 8? it's on the other page) second place teams seems a bit excessive!

Again, sorry for calling you a Yank, such drastic changes in the rules are usually suggested by our colonial friends

ie. no offsides, bigger goals, wide recievers etc