2014 World Cup qualifying group draw

[Marty]

Seems unnecessary to make a thread for something that's not happening until late July, but I'd like to draw your attention to the seeding groups. Some big surprises there...

Group 1: Spain, Holland, Germany, England, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Norway, Greece.

Group 2: France, Montenegro, Russia, Sweden, Denmark, Slovenia, Turkey, Serbia, Slovakia.

Group 3: Switzerland, Israel, Ireland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Belarus, Ukraine, Hungary.

Group 4: Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Georgia, Lithuania, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Austria, Poland.

Group 5: Armenia, Estonia, Finland, Cyprus, Latvia, Moldova, Macedonia, Azerbaijan, Faeroe Islands.

Group 6: Wales, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra, San Marino.

There will be eight groups of six and one group of five, and the only possible changes are Romania taking Hungary's place in group 3 should they beat Paraguay at the weekend, and Estonia taking Poland's place in group 4 should they beat both Chile and Uruguay.

Montenegro were a win against Bulgaria away from nicking Greece's place as top seed, but even so the biggest shock has to be Norway as top seed, clinched in classic Norway style with an extremely unconvincing 1-0 win over Lithuania a couple of days ago. Here's betting they draw France so the frogs effectively become top seed anyway...

 

[Vedi]

Apart from Norway Im surprised that Croatia is still in Group 1 giving that we didnt qualify for the last WC.

 

[Caco]

I was full sure that Ireland would move up the seeding pots given their results of late. I would have put us just outside the top 10 in Europe but I suppose the system has its flaws.
Wouldn't mind a group with Norway, Slovenia, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Faroe Islands and Andorra.

 

[Marty]

I was full sure that Ireland would move up the seeding pots given their results of late. I would have put us just outside the top 10 in Europe but I suppose the system has its flaws.
Wouldn't mind a group with Norway, Slovenia, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Faroe Islands and Andorra.

I think all of those top 4 teams would be very happy with that

 

[ryantegan]

Gareth Bale ----- Pot 6?


:???:

 

[Pringle]

how are fareo islands above wales? When did they last win??

 

[werty]

how are fareo islands above wales? When did they last win??

Last week actually :lol:

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Could be some tough groups in there. Got a sneaky feeling teams will want to avoid Belgium in pot 3, they might have an excellent side by then. Also wales may be the toughest pot 6 side ever. A midfield with bale, ramsay and collision in 2012/13 is going to be pretty decent.

 

[ExpatFan]

Since when was Israel part of Europe?

 

[Lanh]

I'd love a group of England, Montenegro, Ireland, Bulgaria, Finland and Wales.

Some great games there. :lol:

 

[worcestersauce]

Since when was Israel part of Europe?

Since other middle eastern countries wouldn't play them or couldn't guarantee the players wouldn't be shot during the game I guess.

 

[ExpatFan]

Since other middle eastern countries wouldn't play them or couldn't guarantee the players wouldn't be shot during the game I guess.

Isn't that for the UN to sort out?
WTF has it got to do with FIFA or UEFA?
The last time I looked at a map, Israel is not in, and nowhere near, Europe. So what's it doing playing its football there?

 

[Spurger King]

Isn't that for the UN to sort out?
WTF has it got to do with FIFA or UEFA?
The last time I looked at a map, Israel is not in, and nowhere near, Europe. So what's it doing playing its football there?

For the reasons worcestersauce already said.

Who is to say the UN weren't involved anyway. Perhaps someone suggested to FIFA/UEFA that it might be better to allow Israel, and Israeli clubs to play in Europe, rather than unnecessarily making them play in regional fixtures which would regularly pose a considerable threat to the players, the fans and the extra security - which itself would cost a huge amount to maintain whilst constantly draining those security resources from other areas.

Seems like a simple decision to me.

 

[Marty]

I'd love a group of England, Montenegro, Ireland, Bulgaria, Finland and Wales.

Some great games there. :lol:

The four in bold are in the same group for this qualifier, you know. Would be unbelievably boring if they were drawn in the same group again.

I'd like to see England v Ireland though, should be good games.

 

[specspurs]

For the reasons worcestersauce already said.

Who is to say the UN weren't involved anyway. Perhaps someone suggested to FIFA/UEFA that it might be better to allow Israel, and Israeli clubs to play in Europe, rather than unnecessarily making them play in regional fixtures which would regularly pose a considerable threat to the players, the fans and the extra security - which itself would cost a huge amount to maintain whilst constantly draining those security resources from other areas.

Seems like a simple decision to me.

As far as I know the UN weren't involved,UEFA just accepted Israel as part of their confederation.
Out of interest before playing in Europe,Israel used to play Australia and New Zealand in Oceania and that certainly isn't Asia either.
I remember seeing many of these games including when they beat us to qualify for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico by drawing in Sydney having won previously in Tel Aviv.
Other times the East Asians like Japan and Korea would play them so they could avoid the Arabs and that's a lot further to go than a short hop to Greece or Croatia ie: their current Euro qualifying group.
Also,it works both ways,the Arab countries don't recognise Israel and no-one with even an Israeli stamp in their passport can go there,Israeli national or not. Some of these countries are officially still at war with Israel (eg Syria),so you can't really play international football under those circumstances.
So I think its only fair for them to play in UEFA,after all they have the same rights to international football as everyboby else and you have to put them somewhere!

 

[hellava_tough]

Yeah, haven't got a problem with Israel playing in the European groups/competitions

Every nation should have the right to put their teams forward into wider competitions, and if there are non-football reasons getting in the way of that, then uefa/fifa should aim to circumvent these issues

I mean, it's just a game afterall

 

[Caco]

Whats the big deal about Israel? It's not like Brazil or Argentina are competing for Europe's qualifying spots. Don't hear too many people asking the same about Azerbaijan, who are in Asia.

 

[haxman]

I'd like to see England v Ireland though, should be good games.

I wouldn't. I was there the last time, it wasn't pretty.

 

[ExpatFan]

Yeah, haven't got a problem with Israel playing in the European groups/competitions

Every nation should have the right to put their teams forward into wider competitions, and if there are non-football reasons getting in the way of that, then uefa/fifa should aim to circumvent these issues

I mean, it's just a game afterall

So you'd have no problem with the likes of Burma or Zimbabwe (or Bahrain or Syria, come to that) being allowed to play in European groups/competitions if some of their neighbours refused to play them?

 

[Real_madyidd]

So you'd have no problem with the likes of Burma or Zimbabwe (or Bahrain or Syria, come to that) being allowed to play in European groups/competitions if some of their neighbours refused to play them?

Bring 'em on. Finally some teams we can beat.