Yesterday I thought I was helpful by answering the question about how Brazil have mathematically qualified for the World Cup. You're welcome. Today, I know you have a different question:
What six countries are going to be part of the play-off for the last 2 spots at the 2026 World Cup?
The answer: I don't know because Fifa who came up with this fancy new format have not answered that question yet.
Fifa announced the allocations for each confederation in the new 48 team World Cup. Everybody seems happy except for the four South American teams who won't qualify our of the ten that make up South American qualifying. Why not just let them all in? And New Zealand are ecstatic because they won't have to travel to Argentina to win a play-off to claim their spot like they will do in November of this year.
But with this so-far unexplained play-off South America could have seven teams qualifying. This is from the Bureau of the FIFA Council's proposal for the play-off:
"One team per confederation with the exception of UEFA + one additional team from the confederation of the host country"; and:
"Two teams to be seeded based on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. The seeded teams will play for a FIFA World Cup berth against the winners of the first two knockout games involving the four unseeded teams."
We don't know who these teams are going to be. Are they the teams from each confederation with the highest number of points that didn't qualify? Let's assume it's the 7th team from South America. They will probably be seeded and chances are they will qualify, seeing as they could be playing the second Oceania team, or the ninth best Asian country or St Kitts and Nevis who are currently ranked 7th in CONCACAF.. So, 70% of the South American teams will qualify. Really, just let them all play. South Americans are fun.
The questions as to who these play-off teams are going to be will hopefully be answered when the Fifa Council ratifies the proposed format in May.
Fifa had a rival for baffling questions this week. Derek Henkle is a video journalist with AFP who was assigned to cover Bastian Schweinsteiger's first press conference with his new team, Chicago Fire. Henkle asked the German World Cup winner if his presence would increase the chances of Chicago winning the World Cup. Huh? Bemused looks all around. As Schweinsteiger looked for assistance, Mr Henkle kindly offered to re-phrase the question: Can Chicago win the World Cup with you in the team? H.U.H? And double huh.Thankfully, Schweinsteiger was very polite in his response. Mr Henkle has since attempted to justify his gaffe:
"As a general assignment video reporter, I was seeking facts at a press conference. I report on everything ranging from presidential politics to science - and I'm the first to admit that I don't know everything, but I do ask."
And all together now: it's called research before the press conference.
You've probably seen the video. It's entertaining, but I will defend Major League Soccer and say that it is by no means the norm.
Fifa announced the allocations for each confederation in the new 48 team World Cup. Everybody seems happy except for the four South American teams who won't qualify our of the ten that make up South American qualifying. Why not just let them all in? And New Zealand are ecstatic because they won't have to travel to Argentina to win a play-off to claim their spot like they will do in November of this year.
But with this so-far unexplained play-off South America could have seven teams qualifying. This is from the Bureau of the FIFA Council's proposal for the play-off:
"One team per confederation with the exception of UEFA + one additional team from the confederation of the host country"; and:
"Two teams to be seeded based on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. The seeded teams will play for a FIFA World Cup berth against the winners of the first two knockout games involving the four unseeded teams."
We don't know who these teams are going to be. Are they the teams from each confederation with the highest number of points that didn't qualify? Let's assume it's the 7th team from South America. They will probably be seeded and chances are they will qualify, seeing as they could be playing the second Oceania team, or the ninth best Asian country or St Kitts and Nevis who are currently ranked 7th in CONCACAF.. So, 70% of the South American teams will qualify. Really, just let them all play. South Americans are fun.
The questions as to who these play-off teams are going to be will hopefully be answered when the Fifa Council ratifies the proposed format in May.
Fifa had a rival for baffling questions this week. Derek Henkle is a video journalist with AFP who was assigned to cover Bastian Schweinsteiger's first press conference with his new team, Chicago Fire. Henkle asked the German World Cup winner if his presence would increase the chances of Chicago winning the World Cup. Huh? Bemused looks all around. As Schweinsteiger looked for assistance, Mr Henkle kindly offered to re-phrase the question: Can Chicago win the World Cup with you in the team? H.U.H? And double huh.Thankfully, Schweinsteiger was very polite in his response. Mr Henkle has since attempted to justify his gaffe:
"As a general assignment video reporter, I was seeking facts at a press conference. I report on everything ranging from presidential politics to science - and I'm the first to admit that I don't know everything, but I do ask."
And all together now: it's called research before the press conference.
You've probably seen the video. It's entertaining, but I will defend Major League Soccer and say that it is by no means the norm.
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