Brasil 2014
June 12th - July 13th

Alright resident TWW football "soccer" fans and World Cup followers, the World Cup is just around the corner so I figured we could use a discussion thread.

Teams Qualified
South America (CONMEBOL)
Brazil (Host)
Argentina
Chile
Coloumbia
Ecuador
Uruguay (Playoff vs. Jordan)

North America (CONCACAF)
United States
Costa Rica
Honduras
Mexico (Playoff vs. New Zealand)

Asia (AFC)
Iran
South Korea
Japan
Australia
Jordan (Playoff vs. Uruguay)

Africa (CAF)
TBD, Winners of the playoff schedule qualify for World Cup
Ivory Coast – Senegal 3–1 16 Nov
Ethiopia – Nigeria 1–2 16 Nov
Tunisia – Cameroon 0–0 17 Nov
Ghana – Egypt 6–1 19 Nov
Burkina Faso – Algeria 3–2 19 Nov

Oceania (OFC)
New Zealand (Playoff vs. Mexico)

Europe (UEFA)

Top 9:
Belgium
Italy
Germany
Netherlands
Switzerland
Russia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
England
Spain

Playoff Round:
Seeded Unseeded
Croatia France
Greece Iceland
Portugal Romania
Ukraine Sweden

Draw to be held on 21st October in Zurich for final 4 playoff matches
UEFA playoff matches to be played on Nov 15 and Nov 19.

World Cup Finals
Playoff first leg to be held Nov 13-14, playoff second leg to be held on Nov 19-20.
All 32 teams should be decided by Nov 21.

World Cup group draw to be held on December 6, 2013 and seeding will be based on FIFA World Rankings on October 17, 2013.

[Edited on October 16, 2013 at 10:55 AM. Reason : .]

10/16/2013 10:54:48 AM

Quote :

"just around the corner"

gotta love those 9 month corners.

10/16/2013 10:56:21 AM

Who has plans to go? I will be in Brazil July 4th - 14th!

10/16/2013 10:57:14 AM

Considering that the World Cup happens every 4 years, 9 months is pretty much just around the corner....

10/16/2013 10:57:46 AM

I had planned to go, but then I got engaged and such so this will be a month long DVR event for me again. Watched every single match of the last one which was pretty fun.

10/16/2013 11:05:33 AM

Aw. Well at least you aren't forever alone! This one has the potential of being even better than South Africa. It is Brazil after all. The current rankings mean the group stages will be electrifying. The potential opening match could be Brazil vs. Italy depending on the draw and followed up by Netherlands vs Spain! The group stages in South Africa were a bit boring really.

10/16/2013 11:13:23 AM

I really hope Africa is better because they were awful in 2010.

Dream scenario (assuming we are in Asia's pot again) for USA is Switzerland as the seed, a "2nd tier" UEFA team like Ukraine/Greece, and any of the African teams that aren't Ghana.

Basically, I don't want to see any of the South American teams, the UEFA traditional powerhouses that don't get a seed, and Ghana.

Which means Brazil, France, and Ghana are on the cards. We got the best draw in our history in 2010 so I'm expecting the worst for this one.

[Edited on October 16, 2013 at 11:32 AM. Reason : hold on to your butts.]

10/16/2013 11:20:30 AM

I agree. Looking at the rankings the US will likely be in pot 2.

I would love Colombia/Switzerland from Pot 1 (avoiding the bigger teams)
A smaller European team from pot 3 and then someone like Iran from pot 4.

Worst Case
Brazil
USA
France
Japan

That is very possible. I will post the updated rankings from tomorrow with the teams that have qualified/can qualify listed. Should be interesting.

[Edited on October 16, 2013 at 11:34 AM. Reason : .]

10/16/2013 11:34:13 AM

Just realized. Only the top 8 are seeded. The others won't be and will be split demographically. Quite confusing really:

Quote :

"The top seven ranked teams in the world go into Pot A along with the hosts Brazil. However, Uruguay are in danger of missing out on qualification (although they should win their Intercontinental play-off clash with Jordan), but should they fail to do so the next best ranked team would join the top seeds. That team is currently the Netherlands, although the rankings will have a final reshuffle tomorrow when we will know who will be seeded and who won't. The other 24 teams would be split demographically, with the remaining European teams in another pot. Based on the current rankings, Spain, Germany, Italy and Belgium would be in Pot A, meaning that Pot B would contain nine further European teams. Obviously, 13 teams into eight groups doesn’t go, so five groups would contain two European sides with the remaining three having just the one. They will be joined by teams from Pot C and D, which would likely be made up of four African sides, four Asian sides, three North American sides, two South American sides and two play-off winners. Confusing enough?"

10/16/2013 11:39:41 AM

I'm pretty sure that's how it always has been. They do their best to avoid teams of the same region in the same groups, aside from UEFA because there are so many.

I wish we were in a pot with South America instead of Asian/Oceanic.

10/16/2013 11:47:53 AM

Isn't England ranked 17 in the world as of September? I just pulled up the FIFA rankings and maybe I'm wrong, but if last month's rankings stay the same, if Croatia, Portugal, Greece, and Uruguay all lose their playoff matches and don't make the World Cup, then we are right behind and could end up in the top 9.

Take a look here and based on the rules someone let me know if that's right.

http://www.fifa.com/worldranking/rankingtable/

If it's the top 8 then NM - Netherlands will get it and we'll be 9 even in the best case scenario.

[Edited on October 16, 2013 at 12:58 PM. Reason : sdf]

10/16/2013 12:57:31 PM

Too much is made out of the seeding process, in my opinion. The groups are ultimately determined by the region pots. The seeding benefits the other seeds from not facing each other in the first round but the talent gap has closed enough that it's not a 1 v. 16 NCAA scenario.

If you do care though, the rankings will have changed after the recent games. Grant Wahl is on the case:

Next FIFA rankings: 1. ESP 2. GER 3. ARG 4. COL 5. BEL 6. URU 7. SUI 8. NED 9. ITA 10. ENG 11. BRA 12. CHI 13. USA 14. POR

10/16/2013 1:02:04 PM

Quote :

" I will be in Brazil July 4th - 14th!"

Will England?

10/16/2013 1:18:10 PM

England ahead of Brazil must be a joke

10/16/2013 2:09:02 PM

Lack of competitive matches for Brazil was the problem, barring the Confed cup, of course.

10/16/2013 2:26:04 PM

England probably won't be during that period unfortunately. The US probably won't either but I am keeping my fingers crossed that I end up seeing a semi final between England vs USA in Sao Paulo. That would be a dream scenario for me.

Also RIBS it isn't ridiculous considering how FIFA rankings work.

England wins against the crappy teams and does well enough to reach the round of 16/Quarterfinals of tournaments. Its an aggregate of all of the matches. As GingaNinja pointed out, the lack of matches makes a difference. Also just to put it into perspective England beat Spain and beat and drew to Brazil in the last year. The big victories against San Marino/Moldova and the draws against France and victory over Belgium all helps immensely. FIFA isn't looking at the rankings objectively and that is why teams like Colombia and Switzerland can sneak into the top.

[Edited on October 16, 2013 at 3:22 PM. Reason : .]

[Edited on October 16, 2013 at 3:24 PM. Reason : .]

10/16/2013 3:15:51 PM

For anyone that is interested:

http://www.fifa.com/worldranking/procedureandschedule/menprocedure/index.html

10/16/2013 3:19:16 PM

Quote :

"Also RIBS it isn't ridiculous considering how FIFA rankings work."

You can point to whatever crappy points system you want, but Brazil would beat the hell out of England if both teams fielded motivated A sides.

England starts danny fucking welbeck, a 2 man midfield with a combined age of 70, and Woy pulling the strings for the FA. That's a winning combination if I've ever heard it.

Outside of Mexico, they have to be the most perpetually overrated team in FIFA. Every cycle English fans start trying to believe they are better than they actually are, and every cycle they go down in flames.

Brazil will be no different.

10/16/2013 5:48:48 PM

Seeing as how England have one win and 1 draw in the last year against Brazil your argument comes off as very bitter (surprise surprise). You are an idiot if you believe English fans overrate the team, it has always been the media. I am also almost certain you haven't actually watched Welbeck play. Would England beat Brazil in a World Cup match? Probably not but England are a good side, not an elite side but definitely good and capable of reaching the quarters at the World Cup. I also like how you pick out England and not the fact that Colombia and Switzerland are also ahead of Brazil, by a lot. Carry on....

10/17/2013 1:32:36 AM

Brazil 2
Joe Hart 2

10/17/2013 4:07:48 AM

Can we have a thread that isn't started and post flooded by this douchebag

Putting soccer in quotes in the op.........

10/17/2013 7:14:22 AM

To be fair people pretty much realize England isn't elite this to around. Even their fans and media. As far as his continued knocking of Columbia... Newsflash: they are good.

Regarding Welbeck, be works really hard. I guess that's what it takes to be first choice for England these days. The one player I have really opened up to is Townsend. He always seems a bit of a "hit from distance and hope" when I see him but he was flat out fantastic in both games this break. The most impressive young player I saw.

10/17/2013 8:03:28 AM

Thanks for your input rwoody.

I am not saying Colombia aren't good. I am just using the same logic that Ribs is using. On paper Brazil is better than Colombia. On paper a lot of the teams behind Switzerland are better than them. But as aimorris mentioned too much is made of rankings. In the end you are going to have to beat the best to win anyway.

Top 8 seeds are in (In order of ranking):
Spain
Germany
Argentina
Colombia
Belgium
Uruguay*
Switzerland
Brazil**

* If Uruguay can't beat Jordan then Netherlands will take their place in the top 8.
** Ranked 11 but in the top 8 as hosts

Can't wait to see how the rest of the 11 pan out. It seems Ghana is sure to qualify and Mexico and Uruguay should follow.

I would take this group for the US
Swiss
Greece/Bosnia/
US
Iran/Small African team

That would be a pretty balanced group and give the US the best chance at qualifying.


[Edited on October 17, 2013 at 8:56 AM. Reason : .]

[Edited on October 17, 2013 at 9:00 AM. Reason : .]

10/17/2013 8:54:55 AM

I am really looking forward to watching the WC.

[Edited on October 17, 2013 at 9:53 AM. Reason : ]

10/17/2013 9:26:16 AM

Draw simulator. http://ultra-zone.net/2014-FIFA-World-Cup-Group-Stage-Draws

10/17/2013 9:49:50 AM

I got (from the simulator)

Swiss
US
Chile
England

That would actually be very interesting.

10/17/2013 9:57:54 AM

I'm hoping to see teams that we haven't faced in international competitions recently, even if they're powerhouses like Netherlands.

10/17/2013 10:22:15 AM

Quote :

"Outside of Mexico, they have to be the most perpetually overrated team in FIFA. Every cycle English fans start trying to believe they are better than they actually are, and every cycle they go down in flames. "

Couldn't be further from the truth. I'm an England fan through and through but I recognize when the team is playing poorly. Based on how they performed during qualifiers I'd be surprised if they made it out of the first round of the World Cup. Rooney is washed up but is still toted as the star player. As a fan you have to support your team through the highs and the lows though. Most of my friends back home feel the exact same.

10/17/2013 12:47:20 PM

^ I have to disagree. Rooney is washed up? Rooney and Townsend are probably the only two British players on form as of now. The last two matches against Montenegro and Poland went well and England played with attacking intent. Look no one is saying England is going to win the World Cup but there is enough individual talent in the squad to put in a decent performance at the World Cup.

10/17/2013 1:27:50 PM

I was thinking that too until I saw that ludicrous display against Ukraine in September.

[Edited on October 17, 2013 at 3:48 PM. Reason : Although I don't think Rooney was in that game so I'll give you that.]

10/17/2013 3:47:36 PM

^Agreed. Ukraine was a terrible match but England got exactly what they set out to do in that one. The subsequent performances were a lot better though. I think its time England lets its players work together as a team. Jones/Sterling/Wilshere all could have been playing for the under 21 but they were sat on the bench. If these players can develop chemistry with some of the young talents like Morrison and Zaha it would only benefit England.

10/17/2013 4:08:41 PM

That's exactly it! Most of the talent on the starting 11 is a little older and, although they have the experience and power, they don't necessarily have the speed to keep up with younger teams. Couple that with the fact that the team as a whole doesn't really get much time spent developing teamwork prior to the World Cup (Mostly the fault of the Premier League) and you see lots of good individual players that don't work so well as a team.

10/17/2013 4:44:00 PM

European Playoffs Set

To Be Played: Nov 15 and 19
Croatia vs. Iceland
Portugal vs. Sweden
France vs. Ukraine
Greece vs Romania

Clearly Protgual vs. Sweden is the tie of the playoffs. Ronaldo vs. Zlatan really. Should be a good one and I think it will also be fairly even. Slim margins for both teams.
Think it will be: Iceland, Portugal (on PK's?), France (Barely), Greece.

10/21/2013 8:56:45 AM

Barely? France will roll.

I hope it's Sweden, Romania, France, and Iceland.

10/21/2013 9:12:45 AM

Wouldn't this be Iceland's first WC?

Nike would shit a brick if Ronaldo didn't make it to Brazil.

10/21/2013 9:30:23 AM

Yeah but Ibra tho. Ibra is fucking awesome.

10/21/2013 9:34:57 AM

I don't see Iceland beating Croatia, but yes it would be their first WC.

10/21/2013 9:58:09 AM

Yup Iceland's first. The only reason I am giving them a slight edge is because Croatia is in shambles right now and their manager has just been sacked, after the loss to Scotland. Iceland has had a decent campaign and have played generally well as a team (from the 30 minutes I saw them and from what I have read).

Also Ukraine is a pretty tough place to play. With Giroud on form though France may have just found enough to keep the scoreboard ticking. It will be close I believe. I would love to see France over Ukraine next year. France has some great young talent that could make some noise in Brazil.

All in all the playoffs are evenly matched. Don't think any of the 4 will be virtually decided after Nov 15. Would have liked to see Portugal vs France though.

10/21/2013 10:54:11 AM

I don't know shit about Romania but I do know that I'd rather see them than Greece.

10/21/2013 10:57:33 AM

^ Agreed. Mutu is the only Romanian I know. Both Greece and Romania are pretty poor from the little I know about them. Fodder for the other teams to pick on at the World Cup really.

10/21/2013 11:04:59 AM

Never forget.

10/21/2013 11:06:37 AM

^ good call on Hagi. I did forget.

10/21/2013 11:25:21 AM

http://www.transfermarkt.de/de/nationalmannschaften/startseite/nationalmannschaften.html


Our market worth is beyond poor, I'd watch out for world cup debutee Bosnia.. they are 3x our worth.. highly dangerous attacked minded team Id like to avoid.

10/21/2013 3:18:25 PM

lol

10/21/2013 4:24:22 PM

i havent really been following the euro qualifying, but is it really possible that france, protugal, and croatia all miss out? their groups must have been tough.

10/21/2013 6:26:34 PM

Is it possible? Yes. Is it likely? Probably not.

France was paired with Spain so no surprise that they have to go through the playoff. Where they got unlucky was that they only had 5 total teams in their group while the others had 6. So they had less matches to accumulate points. So they weren't seeded for the playoff draw and got a decent team to play in Ukraine.

Portugal basically bottled their group, and the only good team they really had to play was Russia. Croatia got paired with Belgium and Sweden was in Germany's....

10/21/2013 7:25:32 PM

I don't really know much about Portugal or Sweden except their past teams in various Euros and World Cups -- are they really that closely matched? I was under the impression that Portugal was considered a way stronger team than Sweden. Has Portugal gotten worse or has Sweden gotten better?

10/23/2013 10:35:22 AM

Neither. Both have kind of stagnated over the last 5 years. Portugal probably has the better overall talent but they haven't played well. Sweden has some underrated talent, especially in midfield. The teams are closely matched because Portugal is underachieving and Sweden is right where they should be....

10/23/2013 12:42:48 PM

Bunch of leaked WC jerseys

Cameroon is hideous

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/leaked-the-puma-italy-chile-uruguay-ivory-coast-ghana-cameroon-switzerland-shirts-for-world-cup-2014/

10/27/2013 9:17:10 AM

Leaked kits always look meh. Don't like any of those really, but it could just be that the pictures are terrible quality.

10/27/2013 10:40:13 AM