One of the Asian qualifying groups is a mess. Japan are walking it but behind them it's anyones guess. Australia despite only winning 1 game out of 6 are somehow in second.
Surprise that Saudi Arabia are doing so poorly... Historically they're one of the stronger AFC Nations with Japan and South Korea, in qualification at least
Crazy that China have won the second most amount of games, yet are bottom
There's way too many groups. Couldn't they have just had 1 less group of 4 teams, which would've then meant 4 extra groups had an additional team and been a 5 team group.
10 groups of 5 and a solitary group of 4.
One team will qualify having played just 6 games, 2 of which were against Latvia.
It's time to end FIFAs hold over the international game. Holding the World Cup in two bob countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, USA and Russia. FIFA aren't intrested in growing the sport.
UEFA clubs should withdraw and launch their own international trophy.
If America took football as serious as they do other sports, they'd be the best team in the world within a generation or 2... luckily (for us) though it's very much pay to play over there, which kinda goes against the whole point of why most kids end up playing.
There's way too many groups. Couldn't they have just had 1 less group of 4 teams, which would've then meant 4 extra groups had an additional team and been a 5 team group.
10 groups of 5 and a solitary group of 4.
One team will qualify having played just 6 games, 2 of which were against Latvia.
First games will take place in March, but those in play-offs from the Nations League don’t do those til March. Apparently why they will be in groups of 4, as their pots are provisional. All very messy.
It's time to end FIFAs hold over the international game. Holding the World Cup in two bob countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, USA and Russia. FIFA aren't intrested in growing the sport.
UEFA clubs should withdraw and launch their own international trophy.
The Qatar one I can understand the confusion with it (even though I went and loved it), but why are the others ‘two bob’?
Saudi, Russia and USA are all national teams that we have seen at the World Cup fairly regularly.
What would you consider ‘non two bob’ countries? England, Germany, Spain? If the tournament was held in the obvious places every time then that really would be a case of FIFA showing a lack of interest in growing the game.
It's time to end FIFAs hold over the international game. Holding the World Cup in two bob countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, USA and Russia. FIFA aren't intrested in growing the sport.
UEFA clubs should withdraw and launch their own international trophy.
A strange comment, whilst I don't agree with the world cup going to Qatar and Russia, because I think it was likely bought in both instances, going to the 4 nations listed, as well as South Africa, Japan/South Korea and Brazil in the past, shows they are predominantly interested in growing the game, by taking it to new places with larger audiences.
You seem to suggest having it in Europe would grow the game, but Europe is probably the most saturated market for football.
There's way too many groups. Couldn't they have just had 1 less group of 4 teams, which would've then meant 4 extra groups had an additional team and been a 5 team group.
10 groups of 5 and a solitary group of 4.
One team will qualify having played just 6 games, 2 of which were against Latvia.
While I agree, UEFA have forced themselves into a bit of a corner on this with scheduling Nations League matches in March and June of next year…
Groups of four will have all of their qualifying matches completed within 60 days between the September and November 2025 international breaks.
The only problem i have with the USA, is they held it there in 94. I guess they've got round that sharing with Mexico and Canada.
Mexico hosting three world cups in my lifetime and none in England is baffling and bloody annoying. ( I Know they replaced Columbia quite late notice in 86 and only have a few games in 2026 - but still )
There's way too many groups. Couldn't they have just had 1 less group of 4 teams, which would've then meant 4 extra groups had an additional team and been a 5 team group.
10 groups of 5 and a solitary group of 4.
One team will qualify having played just 6 games, 2 of which were against Latvia.
First games will take place in March, but those in play-offs from the Nations League don’t do those til March. Apparently why they will be in groups of 4, as their pots are provisional. All very messy.
Whilst i get why it was introduced, the Nations league has become a bit stupid now. How it worked before with the Group A winners having semi finals and a final was ok, but now they've grown it (yes yet more games) to include quarter finals as well. What's the point?
Not to mention that having a third place play off for the Nations league is possibly the most pointless game in football.
Wales confirmed in a group of 5. Scotland and Ireland confirmed in a group of 4.
England and Northern Ireland most likely drawn into a group of 5.
I also think it's time that UEFA considered a pre-qualifying round for the lesser nations, for which they could just easily use the Nations league standings.
If Liechtenstein can't beat San Marino and Gibraltar, and Andorra can't even score a goal in 4 games v Moldova and Malta then there is no point them entering the qualifiers with bigger nations. It is (and generally always has been) a waste of 2 matchdays for the bigger nations.
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Inclusivity being what it is.
Crazy that China have won the second most amount of games, yet are bottom
England and Northern Ireland most likely drawn into a group of 5.
10 groups of 5 and a solitary group of 4.
One team will qualify having played just 6 games, 2 of which were against Latvia.
UEFA clubs should withdraw and launch their own international trophy.
Saudi, Russia and USA are all national teams that we have seen at the World Cup fairly regularly.
You seem to suggest having it in Europe would grow the game, but Europe is probably the most saturated market for football.
Groups of four will have all of their qualifying matches completed within 60 days between the September and November 2025 international breaks.
Not to mention that having a third place play off for the Nations league is possibly the most pointless game in football.
If Liechtenstein can't beat San Marino and Gibraltar, and Andorra can't even score a goal in 4 games v Moldova and Malta then there is no point them entering the qualifiers with bigger nations. It is (and generally always has been) a waste of 2 matchdays for the bigger nations.
What happens to the Nations League now that from next season International games are WC qualifiers ?
The years in between (2021-22, 2023-24, 2025-26, 2027-28...) are for qualifying to Euros and World Cups.