World Cup: National Team threads #2

[koyvoo]

Indeed. The World ELO current rank, which in itself isn’t perfect, but better than FIFA’s system has the USA currently 13 spots below Germany.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

That's not the entire road to the World Cup for Italy. Italy didn't lose a single match in their group. They didn't win their group essentially because they drew two matches vs Switzerland and at Northern Ireland in November 2021. Which, fair enough, were disappointing results, but like Argentina didn't have results like that in their qualifying campaign? Switzerland are solid enough, Northern Ireland know how to defend and fight especially on home turf.

And then they get to the playoffs, and sure they get to play Northern Macedonia. But would beating them have sent them to the World Cup? Nope obviously not as Northern Macedonia weren't in the World Cup. They would have had to get past Portugal to actually qualify. So it's either Portugal or Italy in the World Cup. Yeah that seems like a tougher path than CONMEBOL.

It definitely isn’t and this isn’t even a debate. SA is in a decline atm but its much harder to lose out to the likes of Chile/Columbia than it is to f***ing North Ireland.

 

[cgf]

It definitely isn’t and this isn’t even a debate. SA is in a decline atm but its much harder to lose out to the likes of Chile/Columbia than it is to f***ing North Ireland.

***I think it's a silly debate, so I'm not wading in on either side***

...but Switzerland is exactly as difficult as Ecuador and if Italy had beaten North Ireland, GD --- where the swiss were +2 over Italy -- would have decided which of Switzerland or Italy had to go through Macedonia & Portugal in the playoff.

 

[koyvoo]

I think one distinction is that it would take a lot more of a stumble for a true South American contender to completely miss out on the World Cup than it would for a European contender. At least with how qualifying formats have been up until now.

When looking at the continental tournaments, the Copa has traditionally had 10 to 12 teams, which aside from the fact there are no qualifiers for the tournament, all tournament entrants have a 75% chance at worst at making at least a quarter final.

None of that impacts how good Brazil and Argentina are compared to the Euro powerhouses, or how the next tier of teams in each continent compare to each other.

 

[BMann]

"Argentina and Brazil don't have that level of competition in South America, the football is not as developed as in Europe. That's why if you look at the last World Cups it's always the Europeans that win," Mbappe said.

It was May.

The whole of CONMEBOL was united. The president who is Paraguayan was absolutely delighted on the podium.

Before shooting his mouth Mbappe might think to engage his brain assuming he has one.

 

[Incubajerks]

The whole of CONMEBOL was united. The president who is Paraguayan was absolutely delighted on the podium.

Before shooting his mouth Mbappe might think to engage his brain assuming he has one.

Considering that he plays in a league where the level of competition doesn't exist, it's even more funny.

 

[Evilo]

 

[N o o d l e s]

Looks good. I'm no longer 100% convinced by Zaniolo.

Who needs Zaniolo?!

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Next copa/WC Argentina could line up like this.

NIco-Lautaro/Alvarez-Messi/Alvarez

Alexis-RDP/Bunnotto
-- -Enzo/Varela

Acuna/Tag/Barco-Martinez-Cuti-Molina
Emi

With the likes of Paredes, Vera, Garnacho, Paz, Palacios, Perez, Medina, Lo celso, Soule, Luka etc

 

[gary69]

Who needs Zaniolo?!

So he'll be the WC 2026 Golden boot winner then, breaking Just Fontaine's single tournament record.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

He’s allowed to do what he wants

 

[cgf]

He’s allowed to do what he wants

True...but having watched WM-winners holding on too long stifle our transition to the next generation; just because they've earned that right doesn't mean it won't hurt the team.

Hopefully AdM embraces a joker role for you and doesn't still insist on starting as he continues to age...the way Müller and Neuer did for us.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

True...but having watched WM-winners holding on too long stifle our transition to the next generation; just because they've earned that right doesn't mean it won't hurt the team.

Hopefully AdM embraces a joker role for you and doesn't still insist on starting as he continues to age...the way Müller and Neuer did for us.

ADM is always hurt and needs his minutes managed every game. This will continue to be the case and it'll get worse by the time 2024 Copa starts and in 2026 I really dont think he would have the legs to be even called up. I say let him enjoy playing as a champion with their 3 stars.

 

[bluesfan94]

That's not the entire road to the World Cup for Italy. Italy didn't lose a single match in their group. They didn't win their group essentially because they drew two matches vs Switzerland and at Northern Ireland in November 2021. Which, fair enough, were disappointing results, but like Argentina didn't have results like that in their qualifying campaign? Switzerland are solid enough, Northern Ireland know how to defend and fight especially on home turf.

And then they get to the playoffs, and sure they get to play Northern Macedonia. But would beating them have sent them to the World Cup? Nope obviously not as Northern Macedonia weren't in the World Cup. They would have had to get past Portugal to actually qualify. So it's either Portugal or Italy in the World Cup. Yeah that seems like a tougher path than CONMEBOL.

There's a joke here

 

[Savi]

Next copa/WC Argentina could line up like this.

NIco-Lautaro/Alvarez-Messi/Alvarez

Alexis-RDP/Bunnotto
-- -Enzo/Varela

Acuna/Tag/Barco-Martinez-Cuti-Molina
Emi

With the likes of Paredes, Vera, Garnacho, Paz, Palacios, Perez, Medina, Lo celso, Soule, Luka etc

Midfield looks crowded but there's also Castro and Galarza at Genk who may be worth keeping an eye on. Genk are fantastic at developing players so maybe one or both of them can follow into Biglia's footsteps and make a similar career.

Also really excited for Buonanotte after seeing what Brighton has done for Alexis

 

[N o o d l e s]

Midfield looks crowded but there's also Castro and Galarza at Genk who may be worth keeping an eye on. Genk are fantastic at developing players so maybe one or both of them can follow into Biglia's footsteps and make a similar career.

Also really excited for Buonanotte after seeing what Brighton has done for Alexis

Argentina have been lite on Italian surnames lately so I’m all aboard the Buonanotte train @Duchene2MacKinnon

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Midfield looks crowded but there's also Castro and Galarza at Genk who may be worth keeping an eye on. Genk are fantastic at developing players so maybe one or both of them can follow into Biglia's footsteps and make a similar career.

Also really excited for Buonanotte after seeing what Brighton has done for Alexis

Castro I was hyped for he had some good numbers for Newells playing in a more advanced role but he got lost in the shuffle once he made his move to Europe. Not sure how he's doing in Genk. Galarza Im not familiar with. The midfield is extremely crowded I didn't mentioned a lot of players who could be included in the NT.

Argentina have been lite on Italian surnames lately so I’m all aboard the Buonanotte train @Duchene2MacKinnon

He's hyped to be great and will go to a pretty good environment so we shall see.

 

[Evilo]

Oussem Aouar (1 NT selection) has switched alliance to Algeria.

 

[Power Man]

Oussem Aouar (1 NT selection) has switched alliance to Algeria.

Took him long enough
I would rather have Zorgane and Boudaoui play more minutes with the NT, freaking Belmadi

 

[Evilo]

They're going hard after Cherki and Adli too.
At some point people trying to convince 16 year old should be banned from football circles.
These kids are young. They don't need that.

 

[Power Man]

They're going hard after Cherki and Adli too.
At some point people trying to convince 16 year old should be banned from football circles.
These kids are young. They don't need that.

Adli? idk man , I’m not feeling him

Besides, our priority should be to strengthen our central defense, especially since Mandi has turned into the Algerian Maguire…..
And maybe the LB spot to keep Bensebaini on his toes.

I don’t know if we are really going after Cherki but our FA president has confirmed he is going after Gouiri, but the latter is prioritizing France

I like Belmadi but his problem is that he has a natural tendency to trust veterans over young players, even if those veterans suck.
I mentioned our midfielders but we also have 21 year old Amoura (forward) who is a great young homegrown talent.
We also have talented homegrown players in our youth teams who deserve a call up with the senior team.
Not sure what the f… our FA is thinking SMH.
Plus, the benefits of homegrown players is a big plus when it comes to African competitions, AFCON, WC qualifiers etc… they are used to crappy pitches, corrupt refs, super hot weather etc….

 

[Evilo]

I'm really tired of foreign federation guys putting pressure on 16 year old to declare for the nation of their parents or grand parents where they never lived.
I still think you should prove you lived X years in a country to represent it.
Laporte is more spanish than Aouar is algerian.

 

[cgf]

I'm really tired of foreign federation guys putting pressure on 16 year old to declare for the nation of their parents or grand parents where they never lived.
I still think you should prove you lived X years in a country to represent it.
Laporte is more spanish than Aouar is algerian.

I know they didn't just start pitching those players to switch...but Aouar is 24; Gouiri & Adli are 22; Cherki is 19; none of them will be 16yo at the time of their decision.

 

[Power Man]

I'm really tired of foreign federation guys putting pressure on 16 year old to declare for the nation of their parents or grand parents where they never lived.
I still think you should prove you lived X years in a country to represent it.
Laporte is more spanish than Aouar is algerian.

I agree tbh
I fell bad for Fekir, he wasn't 16 anymore but he had that evenful weekend where he had a lot of pressure; apprenty greed on Friday to play for Algeria, then the next day Deschamps came calling and Fekir's dad also pressured his son to play for France because more marketability therefore more $, so on Monday Fekir annunced he would be playing for France (and making his grandfather cry in the process because he wanted him to play for Algeria).
Nabil seems to be a good dude, he didn't deserve that much pressure in the span of 4 days

I know it sounds cliché but it's hard to have a sense of belonging when you didn't grow up in the country you are playing for.
Mahrez is a bit different because as a kid he would regularly go to Algeria with his family during his summer, spending a lot of time with his cousins etc

 

[luiginb]

I wouldn't switch if I were Gouiri, I think he's good enough to play for France (I'd take him over Giroud rn, Thuram or Kolo Muani)