Have to say, this is looking like one of the “weakest” world cups for years.
Loads of heavy weights or regulars missing out, with smaller footballing nations like Ecuador, Canada making it.
I just hope we get some good groups and avoid the likes of Egypt Vs. Saudi as group games.
Condolences to Colombia. Who knows, maybe had the coach picked James last summer you may have made it.
I disagree. What heavyweights are missing out? Italy - just like last time. All the other heavyweights are there (Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Uruguay, France, Spain) and the Dutch are back. Portugal are through now as well.
As for regulars, who cares about Nigeria? They only ever had one World Cup where they were actually good - that was their first in 1994. They've stunk out most of their other appearances. Who else is missing? Russia? They have never been a factor since the break up of the USSR. The Americans and Mexicans are back from CONCACAF and should put up reasonable opposition. Canada will be a story if nothing else, and they are stronger than the other sides from their confederation at the moment, so I wouldn't take them lightly. Costa Rica will likely beat New Zealand and are often dangerous - as 2014 and 1990 proved.
Senegal are the African champions and deserve their place (even if their fans were a disgrace against Egypt). Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, and Cameroon are all regulars at this level. The Saudis, Japan, Iran, and South Korea are, pretty much, the traditional top four in Asia. Australia without Tim Cahill are nothing to write home about and probably won't make it this time anyway unless the Peruvians bottle it, so no loss there.
Colombia are no loss either - they've only had one decent World Cup since 1990 and that was in Brazil. They usually flatter to deceive. Ecuador will probably flatter in their stead, but swings and roundabouts. They are regulars at World Cups this century, so hardly a surprise qualifier.
Europe looks reasonably strong, but only two sides look real contenders to me. Denmark, Switzerland, and Croatia are hard-to-beat. Belgium have lots of talent, but are ageing. France and Spain are the standouts. England will be a handful, but will hardly get as favourable a run as they had in Russia or at Euro 2020. Germany under Hansi Flick will be improving and dangerous, but not real contenders. Portugal and Holland will have to be reckoned with, but will probably go out in the last 16 or 8 at best. Poland will make up the numbers as usual and haven't had a say at a World Cup since 1982.
I don't see any feeble European entries this time, and the overall level is good if not outstanding. Spain and France will be major tips along with Brazil and, depending on how they start, Argentina. I suspect they'll falter as soon as they meet a good European side, though - similar to Uruguay who look a little weaker now than they were in the last decade.
The winner will come from Spain, France, and Brazil, but any of those could be beaten by up to 20 other sides in what looks a fairly even World Cup to me overall. Despite the location and Gianni Infantino's shameless risible presence, I'm looking forward to it.
