World Cup Qualification - Brazil 2014

[Libertine]

FIFA fiddling the draws again. Really and truly the worst ranked European team should be in pot 2 but no instead there has to be a draw to decide a draw (no doubt it has it's own sponsor and ceremony as well).

Overall what is the point of a world ranking system when they don't actually use it to decide who is in the pots, this stupid idea of you can't have more than one team or two teams from one continent or another is just daft.

If England get lumbered with pot 2 they could find themselves in a group with Brazil, Italy and USA :lol:

That group would be a nightmare (for me) on many different levels if it happens.

[Brum Royal]

Here's the link to TBM's story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25206040

The pots as they stand are:
Pot 1 (top eight seeds): Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Belgium, Colombia, Germany, Switzerland, Uruguay

Pot 2: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chile, Ecuador

Pot 3: Japan, Iran, South Korea, Australia, United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras

Pot 4: Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, England, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, France

[Pepe the Horseman]

Surely Holland will be moved to pot 2, in order to hand them their customary group of death?

[soggy biscuit]

read something about a 'Pot X' that is going to be used.

didn't make much sense so I closed the article

[TBM]

The European country moved to pot two could not play one of the European seeds in their group and so would then face Brazil, Argentina, Colombia or Uruguay from pot one.

In order to avoid a scenario where three European teams are drawn together in one group, the South American seeds will make up a special sub-pot X from pot one.

[No Fixed Abode]

Not really worth worrying about until the draw is made. Even then it's not worth worrying about as, even if we qualify from the group stages we'll get knocked out against the likes of Portugal or Chile.

[Barry the bird boggler]

The European country moved to pot two could not play one of the European seeds in their group and so would then face Brazil, Argentina, Colombia or Uruguay from pot one.

In order to avoid a scenario where three European teams are drawn together in one group, the South American seeds will make up a special sub-pot X from pot one.

But don't forget that pot X is only temporary until pot 2 releases it's European incumbent, then pot X disappears and the three remaining teams are put into pot Y so they can be drawn out again to decide in which order they need to be replaced into pot 1.

What FIFA were using pots A to W for just doesn't conceive thinking about, I just wish they were utterly skint and didn't have a pot to **** in.

[TBM]

Just whack France in there and be done with it..........although im guessing Platini had something to say about that, hence why we are now having this draw

[tulip]

Can anyone explain to me why Belgium & Switzerland are in pot 1?

[TBM]

Can anyone explain to me why Belgium & Switzerland are in pot 1?

Cos they were 5th and 7th in the rankings

[tulip]

Can anyone explain to me why Belgium & Switzerland are in pot 1?

Cos they were 5th and 7th in the rankings

Which rankings?

[TBM]

The FIFA World Rankings

[tulip]

The FIFA World Rankings

OK so based on old Fifa rankings then.

[Sanguine]

The FIFA World Rankings

OK so based on old Fifa rankings then.

The rankings were set before the play-offs, as that round of games would have given those competing an unfair advantage in picking up points.

[TBM]

The FIFA World Rankings

OK so based on old Fifa rankings then.

They weren't old when the pots were decided

[Mr Angry]

The Swiss are only in the prime pot of seeded countries because a. They had a good qualification campaign (though in a weak group) and b. Holland and Italy had friendlies against teams like Indonesia and San Marino respectively, that stuffed their co-efficient's.

England's best hope is drawing the Swiss, Algeria and one of Iran, Honduras or Costa Rica; they should get through from that Group!

[TBM]

I want us to draw a really hard group - only cos then if we get through it, we know we could possibly win it.....rather than coasting through and being knocked out on pens in the next round

[Wax Jacket]

yeah I agree, not coasting through the 1st round would be a help

[TBM]

This will be the ball - its like a netball

[St. Brynjar]

I want us to draw a really hard group - only cos then if we get through it, we know we could possibly win it.....rather than coasting through and being knocked out on pens in the next round

I've only ever seen England win one knockout match. Quarter finals is what I hope for.