Football (Soccer) Thread

[Grey Fox]

Understandable.  Double elimination until they get down to 16 would still be an interesting alternative.

Let's not mistake FIFA for an organisation that actually gives a damn about quality and competitiveness. While I personally think it is a good thing for exposure that more national teams get a chance in a World Cup, it does make the WC a bit more bland.
Denmark arguably has a strong national team, but is staying at home next summer. The camel through the eye of a needle is quite harsh in UEFA qualifiers. Even the Euros competition is a bit bland because almost anyone qualifies with a whopping 32 teams competing. But most know that it will come down to Germany, the Iberian countries or Croatia at some point. Or France, if they can be bothered. Soccer really isn't that competitive, because there's been dominance from a few countries since 1930. Could Mexico win the World Cup? No. Norway? Definitely not. Sweden had a very strong 1994 tournament. 

I see Norway's mostly playing on the east coast (Boston). We did that in 1994 too, and the summer heat almost knocked our players out.

In late june, it still possible to still be in the teens. There is hope.