by Stranded »
22 Nov 2023 07:58
Sutekh Stranded Brazil lose a World Cup qualifier at home for the first time ever. Argentina winning 1-0 overnight.
Brazil have now lost 3 of 6 qualifiers and languish in 6th. Absolutely no danger of them failing to qualify though as 6 sides now qualify from the 10 South American sides with a 7th going into a play-off.
Imagine the fuss kicked up if 60%-70% of UEFA countries were awarded qualifying places at world cup finals.
Whilst I get your point, naturally the volumes make it very different but yes, it does get close to making a mockery of qualification as some teams barely have to try. In the last round of qualifying, for '22, if it had been a 48 team tournament, Chile would have made an inter-continental play-off having by winning just 5 of 18 games, losing 9 in the process. Hardly rewarding success.
Chile are currently ranked 37th in the World, as a comparison Turkey, who are 38th only Won 6 and lost 1 that was only good enough for a play-off then (lost SF game to Portugal) and would still only be good enough for the same in '26 qualifying.