2026 World Cup - European qualifiers

World Cup 2026, Euro 2028, etc.
matt
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Post by matt »

Sagy wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2024 02:09
air wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2024 01:28
matt wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2024 16:30 After having a look at the draw for most of the groups all I can say is "dull".

Maybe a shake-up of the qualifying system would make it more interesting. Why not try the same format of the European Cups (league phase)?

It would also get rid of the blatant injustice of deciding the home team of the second round of the Play-off by a random draw. Just use the league table position.

A league table of 55 nations would be too much though, it would be better to create two mega groups of 27/28 each.
I totally agree and support the Swiss system here as well.
Yes, 2 groups, 8 matches for each team, with top 6 in each to WC and next 6 to playin, can be both exciting and fair system.

Or:

Top 6 of both groups to the WC, so 12 teams. To find the remaining 4:

10 of group A vs 7 of B
9A vs 8B
8A vs 9B
7A vs 10B


No need anymore for one-leg Play-offs even with current schedule considered. Only one round of Play-off needed, so there's room for a two-legs Play-off.
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Sagy
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Post by Sagy »

matt wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2024 17:04
Sagy wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2024 02:09
air wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2024 01:28
I totally agree and support the Swiss system here as well.
Yes, 2 groups, 8 matches for each team, with top 6 in each to WC and next 6 to playin, can be both exciting and fair system.

Or:

Top 6 of both groups to the WC, so 12 teams. To find the remaining 4:

10 of group A vs 7 of B
9A vs 8B
8A vs 9B
7A vs 10B


No need anymore for one-leg Play-offs even with current schedule considered. Only one round of Play-off needed, so there's room for a two-legs Play-off.
I’d be fine with this. However, we know that UEFA wants 4 NL teams in the play-in.
Kev
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Post by Kev »

Sagy wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2024 18:36
matt wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2024 17:04
Sagy wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2024 02:09

Yes, 2 groups, 8 matches for each team, with top 6 in each to WC and next 6 to playin, can be both exciting and fair system.

Or:

Top 6 of both groups to the WC, so 12 teams. To find the remaining 4:

10 of group A vs 7 of B
9A vs 8B
8A vs 9B
7A vs 10B


No need anymore for one-leg Play-offs even with current schedule considered. Only one round of Play-off needed, so there's room for a two-legs Play-off.
I’d be fine with this. However, we know that UEFA wants 4 NL teams in the play-in.
I suspect they would want UNL teams too, so could have:

Path 1
7A vs UNL
10B vs 11A

Path 2
7B vs UNL
10A vs 11B

Path 3
8A vs UNL
9B vs 12A

Path 4
8B vs UNL
9A vs 12B

Also like @Sagy said, you could have a draw for both proper qualifying and playoffs
amenina
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Post by amenina »

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/arti ... 0n0m5lpv1o

France manager Deschamps to step down after 2026 World Cup

France's World Cup-winning manager Didier Deschamps says he will step down after next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The 56-year-old is France's longest-serving coach, having been in charge since 2012.

He led Les Bleus to victory at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, as well as reaching the final of the 2022 tournament in Qatar and Euro 2016 on home soil.

"In 2026 it will be over. In my head it's very clear," Deschamps told French broadcaster TF1.

"I've done my time, with the same desire and passion to maintain France at the highest level.

"One has to be able to say stop, there's a life after this. The most important is for France to stay at the top as they have been for many years."

France have yet to begin their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, with their group dependant on the result of their Nations League quarter-final against Croatia in March.

Former midfielder Deschamps is only the third man after Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer to win the World Cup as both player and manager, having captained his country to glory in 1998.

He succeeded Laurent Blanc after France's quarter-final exit at Euro 2012 and secured qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where Les Bleus were beaten by eventual champions Germany in the last eight.

In 2016 he led the team to the final of their home European Championship, but they were beaten by Portugal after extra time.

His crowning moment arrived two years later, as France lifted the World Cup for a second time following a 4-2 win over Croatia in Moscow.

A Nations League title followed in 2021 before they again reached the World Cup final in Qatar, only to be denied by Argentina on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Before taking charge of France Deschamps had spells in charge of Monaco, Juventus and Marseille, winning at least one trophy with each.

Prior to that he had enjoyed a stellar playing career at domestic and international level.

He won 14 major honours, including Champions League titles with Marseille and Juventus, and the FA Cup with Chelsea.

The defensive midfielder also earned 103 caps for France, captaining the national team to victory at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
Lorric
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Post by Lorric »

Surely if there's any job that could lure Zidane back in...
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Greyn
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Post by Greyn »

It's not official yet, but many sources report that the decision was made by Polish FA and Poland NT will abandon National Stadium in Warsaw for at least 1 year. It is said that Poland will host their competitive matches in 2025 at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzów (capacity 54 378). According to Polish media, operator of the National Stadium in Warsaw demanded from Polish FA too much money and to keep same income like in 2024 price of the tickets would have to grow +150%. This is quite funny, stadium which was built particularly for the National Team for 2 billion PLN will be new used for music concerts or this kind of events only.
Tazmania
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Post by Tazmania »

I remember when Poland played most of their games in Chorzow and they were usually well supported there; I hope they will be as well this year.
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Greyn
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Post by Greyn »

You are 100% correct here. Silesian Stadium in Chorzów (a.k.a. Witches' Cauldron - nickname given by English media after Poland - England match in the WC 74 qualifiers) was a home for Poland NT for many decades. National Team was indeed well supported there. Quite opposite to the National Stadium in Warsaw, where matches were played in a picnic atmosphere. After singing National Anthem, people watched matches like in theater.
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Greyn
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Post by Greyn »

"Sudden turn of events" - Poland will probably stay at the National Stadium in Warsaw after "Donald Tusk (Prime Minister of Poland) put a political pressure on Polish FA to not switch the home stadium for the National Team". Tomasz Włodarczyk is such an unreliable journalist. He claimed in his article that documents with the operator of stadium in Chorzów were already signed and PZPN will today announce this decision. Nothing like that happened. It was last time that I posted info here given by this journalists. My apologies for posting wrong info.
Korgutt
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Post by Korgutt »

If Israel start the qualifiers against Estonia on a neutral pitch. Will it be possible to play the latest matches against Italy/Germany and Moldova in Israel if it has been peace in good time before the autumn? Or will they have to play all home matches in another country?
amenina
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Post by amenina »

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/arti ... dee1e35e2o

Belgium head coach Tedesco sacked after dismal run
amenina
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Post by amenina »

Korgutt wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 20:04 If Israel start the qualifiers against Estonia on a neutral pitch. Will it be possible to play the latest matches against Italy/Germany and Moldova in Israel if it has been peace in good time before the autumn? Or will they have to play all home matches in another country?
I don't know the details, but I think if FIFA/UEFA deem a country's status to be back to "safe" to host home matches, they will allow the remaining home matches to be played back in the home country even if it is in the middle of a competition.
amenina
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Post by amenina »

https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/men ... land-coach

Finland have named Augsburg assistant Jacob Friis as their new coach, charging him with leading them to the FIFA World Cup 26.
amenina
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Post by amenina »

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/arti ... ge8nlvg4ko

Frenchman Rudi Garcia has been appointed head coach of Belgium.
Korgutt
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Post by Korgutt »

amenina wrote: Fri Jan 24, 2025 10:47 https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/arti ... ge8nlvg4ko

Frenchman Rudi Garcia has been appointed head coach of Belgium.
Have Iceland decided who will take over after Åge Hareide?
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