World Cup Draw

Quoted from KingstonMariner

Looks like Qatar have bought themselves an easy group as well as getting to host the tournament.

You would hope Netherlands and Senegal would get it done against Qatar. Unless Ecuador are swayed by the bribe of cheap gas, you wouldn’t expect Qatar to beat them either (finished fourth in qualifying above Chile, Colombia and Peru. Drew with Argentina at home (at sea level) and away and drew at home to Brasil (admittedly in Quito)).

Quoted from KingstonMariner

Looks like Qatar have bought themselves an easy group as well as getting to host the tournament.

Not sure about that. The Netherlands and the African champions Senegal in their group - the average rank of their group is brought down massively by Qatar themselves, the second lowest ranked team at the tournament behind Ghana.

What is interesting is that England's group does look straightforward at first glance, but in the worst case scenario (in terms of FIFA ranking) and Wales qualify, the average rank of our group opponents is 18; the highest of any Pot 1 team. The next toughest being group D, which has an average of 23, for comparison. Portugal's Group H has an average of 34.

Interestingly, you could replace the Iran and USA with Senegal and Croatia (not withstanding the rules of the draw) and end up with a lower average ranking. Would you take that swap? I wouldn't personally.

Ultimately, I think this is an England side which should consider itself a genuine contender to win the tournament. Avoiding the big European sides in Pot 2 was the main thing, and having done that I see nothing in Iran, the States or any of the 3 potential qualifiers that should unduly trouble us.

The next World Cup will be a farce, 48 teams in groups of 3 with top 2 to go through to the KO

Quoted from supertown

The next World Cup will be a farce, 48 teams in groups of 3 with top 2 to go through to the KO

Any idea when the draw is? I’ll need to put a weeks holiday in to watch that.

Quoted from Poojah

Still not feeling this one. I had similar reservations about the World Cup in Russia, and that in fairness turned into one of the most enjoyable one in decades, in spite of what the Russia has gone on to do in recent weeks. This one though, you've got the human rights issues, the lack of any discernible football culture out there, and then the November / December timing - it just all feels wrong.

Maybe I'll feel differently when the time arrives, I genuinely think this young England team is about to peak and we have a real chance of winning it, but for now it's definitely all a bit 'meh'.

It’s like the Qatar World Cup is Tony Gallimore, hair all tousled with the blood of migrant scaffolders.

I’m Rodney Jack, steaming towards Tony at left-back.

I know Gally’s going to dummy and cut inside.

I try to resist.

But it doesn’t stop me steaming in with a wild lunge as Tony skips inside, reeking of natural gas and homosexual suppression.

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

It’s like the Qatar World Cup is Tony Gallimore, hair all tousled with the blood of migrant scaffolders.

I’m Rodney Jack, steaming towards Tony at left-back.

I know Gally’s going to dummy and cut inside.

I try to resist.

But it doesn’t stop me steaming in with a wild lunge as Tony skips inside, reeking of natural gas and homosexual suppression.

How’s your recovery from glue sniffing going?

Quoted from Poojah

How’s your recovery from glue sniffing going?

Sticky subject

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

Sticky subject

To be expected, given the way your addiction to dubious porno mags ended.

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

It’s like the Qatar World Cup is Tony Gallimore, hair all tousled with the blood of migrant scaffolders.

I’m Rodney Jack, steaming towards Tony at left-back.

I know Gally’s going to dummy and cut inside.

I try to resist.

But it doesn’t stop me steaming in with a wild lunge as Tony skips inside, reeking of natural gas and homosexual suppression.

You would enjoy the Francis Bacon exhibition at the RA

Quoted from Poojah

Not sure about that. The Netherlands and the African champions Senegal in their group - the average rank of their group is brought down massively by Qatar themselves, the second lowest ranked team at the tournament behind Ghana.

What is interesting is that England's group does look straightforward at first glance, but in the worst case scenario (in terms of FIFA ranking) and Wales qualify, the average rank of our group opponents is 18; the highest of any Pot 1 team. The next toughest being group D, which has an average of 23, for comparison. Portugal's Group H has an average of 34.

Interestingly, you could replace the Iran and USA with Senegal and Croatia (not withstanding the rules of the draw) and end up with a lower average ranking. Would you take that swap? I wouldn't personally.

Ultimately, I think this is an England side which should consider itself a genuine contender to win the tournament. Avoiding the big European sides in Pot 2 was the main thing, and having done that I see nothing in Iran, the States or any of the 3 potential qualifiers that should unduly trouble us.

Yes, but Qatar are the only country with a ranking over 40 in a group with similarly low ranking team. Ecuador are not much higher ranked than Qatar. The two TOGETHER bring the average ranking down. That’s what I call buying an easier chance than they could otherwise expect.