World Cup Draw This Friday at 5pm

[Abel Tasman]

20 of the 32 now confirmed, another 9 to follow by Friday’s draw (the Scotland/Wales/Ukraine path and two inter-continental play-offs will remain as either/or scenarios in the bottom pot).

No debutants other than the hosts Qatar so far, though Canada have qualified for the first time since 1986 and only second time ever.

Top seeding pot will be Qatar as hosts (everyone will want that group), Belgium, Brazil, France, Argentina, England, Spain and Portugal (or Denmark, if North Macedonia manage to spring another shock).

 

[Glover_elbow]

I would love it if the hosts got spanked in every game

 

[Abel Tasman]

I would love it if the hosts got spanked in every game

That would be good to see.

 

[El Guapo]

So that’ll be Germany in with Qatar then

 

[Abel Tasman]

Germany a

So that’ll be Germany in with Qatar then

Can't see it. I can however see Germany landing in England's group

 

[Sulamani]

I wonder what will happen with the Scotland/Ukraine tie if the war drags on. Surely there must come a point where a decision is made? Would the Ukrainians have any will to play if the war was still going on?

 

[coluka]

So that’ll be Germany in with Qatar then

That’ll be the group of death then

 

[Capybara]

I would love it if the hosts got spanked in every game

Depends on the hosts. I'm still holding out that it'll get moved elsewhere. Otherwise I'm not watching it.

 

[TeaCider]

I wonder what will happen with the Scotland/Ukraine tie if the war drags on. Surely there must come a point where a decision is made? Would the Ukrainians have any will to play if the war was still going on?

Of the players who played in their last international match, 6 of them have been playing league football since the war began.
The ones that haven't play for Ukrainian clubs who understandably aren't able to play right now.

I think they'd want to play and succeed for their country.
I wouldn't envy Scotland playing them if the war is still going on.

It's a very tricky situation though.

 

[Sulamani]

Of the players who played in their last international match, 6 of them have been playing league football since the war began.
The ones that haven't play for Ukrainian clubs who understandably aren't able to play right now.

I think they'd want to play and succeed for their country.
I wouldn't envy Scotland playing them if the war is still going on.

It's a very tricky situation though.

Are the Ukrainian based players being called up to protect the country?

 

[TeaCider]

Are the Ukrainian based players being called up to protect the country?

You'd assume so.

 

[Abel Tasman]

Actually Germany have a faint chance of qualifying as a seed. If Portugal lose Denmark won't take over now as they lost this week. It would be Holland but if they lose their friendly this week and Germany win then Germany would be seeded. That is unless Mexico don't win by a few goals this week as well.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1507837175349587968

 

[Abel Tasman]

Of the players who played in their last international match, 6 of them have been playing league football since the war began.
The ones that haven't play for Ukrainian clubs who understandably aren't able to play right now.

I think they'd want to play and succeed for their country.
I wouldn't envy Scotland playing them if the war is still going on.

It's a very tricky situation though.

At the moment they would presumably only have overseas-based players available so probably couldn’t field a team?. Guess they’ll have to make a decision in June at the latest.

 

[Cardiffdaffs]

I see NZ or Solomon Island v Costa Rica in June for the inter divisional qualification. June in Qatar.

 

[Abel Tasman]

I see NZ or Solomon Island v Costa Rica in June for the inter divisional qualification. June in Qatar.

I believe the game will be played at the Al Bayt Stadium which has a retractable roof - so in air conditioning indoors effectively thank god.

 

[Jedi boro]

I'm still holding out that it'll get moved elsewhere.

Not a hope in hell of that happening.

 

[Randy]

I believe the game will be played at the Al Bayt Stadium which has a retractable roof - so in air conditioning indoors effectively thank god.

All the stadiums are air conditioned aren't they? Including the one that can be shipped around the world in shipping containers.

 

[Jedi boro]

All the stadiums are air conditioned aren't they? Including the one that can be shipped around the world in shipping containers.

They are only keeping I think three or maybe 4 stadiums As they are the rest are going to other countries after the tournament or bring downscaled into other projects.

I was in Qatar in feb and the guide explained what is happening. Inc the stadium right next to the dock

 

[Capybara]

Not a hope in hell of that happening.

I do realise this but I can dream that one of the so-called 'big' nations has a bit of conscience and decides to give it a miss.

 

[Zoophonic]

All the stadiums are air conditioned aren't they? Including the one that can be shipped around the world in shipping containers.

They say so in their bid document but admit it wouldn’t be strong enough to cool outside stadia in the summer hence the tournament switching to Nov and Dec. June would be far too hot so the PO game is being played with the roof on.