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2026 UEFA WC Qualification

JS96 said:
It's just enough time like Europa League clubs playing Sunday league games but it's terribly rushed. The table isn't all that great compared to the AFC.

You'd think with more teams at the world cup they could've set it up that there are more teams in groups with the first two qualifying and a larger group of 3rd teams play off. I even entertained the idea of a league system like the UCL.
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UEFA loves playoffs, so that's why they've done it this way. Also, to make room for the Who Cares League and making that mean something for the World Cup as well.

I personally would have gone with 8 groups of however many needed (2x 7, 6x6 - total of 14 matchdays), with the top two of each group qualifying directly - and then just get rid of the Who Cares League.
 
NicCarBel said:
UEFA loves playoffs, so that's why they've done it this way. Also, to make room for the Who Cares League and making that mean something for the World Cup as well.

I personally would have gone with 8 groups of however many needed (2x 7, 6x6 - total of 14 matchdays), with the top two of each group qualifying directly - and then just get rid of the Who Cares League.
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Perhaps then to fill their love of playoffs they could remove the nation's league by having something of a 4 game, 2 window playoff system that would provide the ranking that the nation's league provides for the two tournaments. Just slim in down. Fewer chances means teams should take it seriously also.

Longer tournament qualifying stages are much more enjoyable.
 
JS96 said:
Perhaps then to fill their love of playoffs they could remove the nation's league by having something of a 4 game, 2 window playoff system that would provide the ranking that the nation's league provides for the two tournaments. Just slim in down. Fewer chances means teams should take it seriously also.

Longer tournament qualifying stages are much more enjoyable.
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Yep - also as least stages as possible (that aren't too long).

Africa used to have one of the worst formats, now it's arguably the best.
 
Northern Ireland level in Germany. With Germany guaranteed a playoff spot, Northern Ireland will be desperate to come second. I haven't checked the Nations League safety nets so much but the picture will become clearer.

Lithuania fought back to make it 2:2 but the Netherlands scored again to win.
 
JS96 said:
Northern Ireland level in Germany. With Germany guaranteed a playoff spot, Northern Ireland will be desperate to come second. I haven't checked the Nations League safety nets so much but the picture will become clearer.

Lithuania fought back to make it 2:2 but the Netherlands scored again to win.
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Currently those progressing via Nations League (As of Sep 7) are Germany, Wales, Romania and Moldova
 
Israel lead Italy 1:0. If I understand the Nations League playoff seeding, it's impossible for Italy to get one of those and as a matter of fact, San Marino are in the spot ahead of them having won their league. That shit would be utterly hilarious. Hopefully Israel hold on. Still tricky games where someone is going to slip up. Norway should be comfortable.

WC Qualifiers Europe - Table calculator

WC Qualifiers Europe Table calculator
www.worldfootball.net www.worldfootball.net
 
Half time and Italy are level.

Kosovo lead Sweden 2:0 while Scotland lead in Belarus which is vital.
 
Switzerland Sweden Slovenia and Kosovo in a group is a joke. 3 tournament teams and a tricky one. Utter shambles UEFA.
 
Looks like israel conceded a goal from a keeper error

If they kept or regain their lead they all but knock italy out of their 4th straight world cup
 
Crikey israel retake the lead. Italy close to being knocked out of a 3rd consequetive world cip
 
That calculator above shows how Italy can't afford to be behind. I still think Israel will slip up against Estonia.

Scotland leading in Belarus in an empty stadium. The world's just gotten worse with all these conflicts. Football is secondary but I miss the qualifiers in a dark loud Minsk stadium or the big arenas of Donestk or Moscow.

Crazy to think a decade ago there was a nicely run Euro tournament and a good world cup in 2018, politics aside.
 
Ah God Italy level right away. So subdued. It's my dazn audio feed. Game in Debrecen so not many Italians there but those in the full stands must be locals and not Israelis.
 
FFS Italy lead. If they win this they should be fine for 2nd at least.

Kosovo 2:0 over Sweden only confirms Switzerland walking this group.
 
Stops and scrambles prevent Israel making it 3:3.

Denmark doing a job in Greece which is probably best for Scotland. A draw there would've been even better.
 
Italy make it 4:2 but now it's 4:3 after a shank own goal. Mental game.
 
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Gattuso is going to injure someone.

Sweden aren't going to the world cup by the look of things.

England will be on the cusp by winning in Serbia tomorrow. A Serbia win would make it more exciting.
 
Four fucking four. Italy are kidding themselves.
 
Diagonal ball, lovely inward header pass to the next header in. Nice goal. 7 added. Italy will win.

And 5:4! There it is.
 
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This is batshit crazy. Gattuso doesn't know what to do or think.
 
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