Random footie

[Aidan11]

At this rate they will forget about qualifying stages and everyone can go to the finals.

[from_the_stands]

The world cup from 2026 will now have 48 teams competing

and scotland still wont make it

At least England have a better chance of making it out of the group stages (assuming they can beat Mongolia in the groups) and will have an even better chance of getting knocked out in a penalty shoot out!

[mikesiva]

I think this is a good idea. Groups of three so less group matches. I think Africa for one deserves more teams. This will be a knockout of 32 teams. For once I agree with Mourinho.

[yuppie]

The talk is that Europe will only get a few more places though, which is just crazy.

More than half of the worlds top 50 teams come from Europe. 16 more places, you would think that 6 should go to Europe and 2 more to South America and then 8 to anywhere else.

Wont happen like that though. Brown envelopes will need to be exchanged and Europe will probably get 2 more places.

[Dr Cricket]

actually like the idea considering when the world cup actually happens most likely going to be 40 or so strong team at the moment these team would be making the world cup based on current rankings.

Germany
Belgium
France
portugal
Spain
Switzerland
Wales
England
Croatia
poland
Italy
Iceland
Netherlands
Republic of Ireland
Turkey
Slovakia

Senegal
Ivory coast
Tunisa
Egypt
Algeria
Conga DR
Burkino Faso
Nigeria
Ghana

Iran
South Korea
Japan
Australia
Saudi Arabia
Uzbekistan
UAE
China

Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Uruguay
peru

Costa rica
Mexico
USA
Panama
Haiti
Honduras
Curaçao
Jamaica

New Zealand
plus Host Nation which is likely to be USA so Jamiaca should make it as well then.

not sure it will be that bad considering the knockout stages likely to have some tough games and most likely in 7-8 yrs time Asian and African sides will be stronger and maybe having more teams in the world cup will make some of the African, Caribbean nations stronger.

[Dr Cricket]

Seems like oceania and Asia will merge as well.

[mikesiva]

actually like the idea considering when the world cup actually happens most likely going to be 40 or so strong team at the moment these team would be making the world cup based on current rankings.

Germany
Belgium
France
portugal
Spain
Switzerland
Wales
England
Croatia
poland
Italy
Iceland
Netherlands
Republic of Ireland
Turkey
Slovakia

Senegal
Ivory coast
Tunisa
Egypt
Algeria
Conga DR
Burkino Faso
Nigeria
Ghana

Iran
South Korea
Japan
Australia
Saudi Arabia
Uzbekistan
UAE
China

Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Uruguay
peru

Costa rica
Mexico
USA
Panama
Haiti
Honduras
Curaçao
Jamaica

New Zealand
plus Host Nation which is likely to be USA so Jamiaca should make it as well then.

not sure it will be that bad considering the knockout stages likely to have some tough games and most likely in 7-8 yrs time Asian and African sides will be stronger and maybe having more teams in the world cup will make some of the African, Caribbean nations stronger.

I like this new system, because Concacaf is usually dominated by Mexico, USA and Costa Rica, with the other teams trying to get a qualifying place. Jamaica qualified for the 1998 World Cup in a year when Costa Rica had an off year, and Trinidad qualified in 2006 when Mexico were banned. Now, this World Cup has more of a world feel to it, and other Concacaf teams have a better chance of making it to the World Cup....

However, rankings can be misleading. I don't expect to see Haiti or Curacao making it ahead of Jamaica and Trinidad, for example.

I''m not bothered about the places allocated to Europe. If they get 16, it's still more than any other Confederation, and they will probably provide the winner, as usual.

[Aidan11]

Former England Manager Graham Taylor has died at the age of 72.

[sussexpob]

Its got to go son....it's got to go big....it's got to goooooo bbbiiiggg!!!

Do I not like that was excellent. RIP to Taylor, bless him.

[rich1uk]

i think my favourite bits were the rant he was having during one of the games and Phil Neal just sat there beside him saying "yes boss" every time taylor stopped for a second, and the nigel clough substitution when Taylor gave him these really convoluted instructions about what role he wanted him to play and when he finished clough asked him "so do you want me to play on the left or the right" and taylor just shook his head and walked away

[andy]

RIP

[budgetmeansbudget]

I mainly remember him as a fabulous manager for Watford taking them up from the bottom division to the top division. Spent many Saturday afternoons in the early eighties soaked to the skin in the uncovered home end at Vicarage Road.

[yuppie]

Saido Berahino has finally left West Brom. Gone to Stoke, not sure its much of a step up for him. But west brom got 12 million for him. Sure they turned down 23 mil for him a few years ago.


Seemed to be destined for big things, but attitude needs to be questioned. Well maybe the attitude of his agent...

Still a big risk for Stoke at that price.

[Gingerfinch]

For £12m, it could turn out to be a very good buy.

[yuppie]

For £12m, it could turn out to be a very good buy.

If he has the motivation to prove people wrong, then 12 mil is a bargain. 23 years old, still plenty of time for a long successful career.