World Cup Play-Offs

[Starfish]

With Germany, France and Portugal all in danger of failing to secure top spot in their respective qualifying groups, FIFA have made a dramatic u-turn and have decided to seed the play-offs in order to make sure the traditionally top sides avoid each other. I have to say that (me being Irish) I find this a trifle unfair. The groups have to be seeded, of course, but to then seed the teams in second (based on FIFA rankings), when FIFA argued against such a system initially is a bit much. Or is that simply my national bias?

[Thaumagurist*]

I agree, I'd rather see the luck of the draw hopefully pitting Germany against France.

[Silver Fox]

The only seeding should be based on each countries recrd in this qualifying competition and the best should play 8th, 2nd v 7th etc

The problem with this is that playing different teams in the groups favours some as far as their record will go, still better than seeding the big boys because they're big boys

[Huntley & Palmer]

With Germany, France and Portugal all in danger of failing to secure top spot in their respective qualifying groups, FIFA have made a dramatic u-turn and have decided to seed the play-offs in order to make sure the traditionally top sides avoid each other. I have to say that (me being Irish) I find this a trifle unfair. The groups have to be seeded, of course, but to then seed the teams in second (based on FIFA rankings), when FIFA argued against such a system initially is a bit much. Or is that simply my national bias?

Slight tangent here but Portugal are getting a bit of McLaren syndrome at the moment according to the Sporting Lisbon fan here. Manager hasn't got a clue on how to play his team, the FA aren't strong enough to do anything about it and the players are so far into the comfort zone it's untrue. He really hopes they don't qualify so it generates a mass shake up of their national side.

Their home game against Hungary is going to be huge. If they fail to win that then they need Denmark to do them a big favour, having probably already qualified, and beat Hungary in the last fixture.

[cmonurz]

The only seeding should be based on each countries recrd in this qualifying competition and the best should play 8th, 2nd v 7th etc

The problem with this is that playing different teams in the groups favours some as far as their record will go, still better than seeding the big boys because they're big boys

Removing results against the bottom side removes some of the bias towards those with better groups, but ultimately its luck of the draw if the 3rd or 4th seeded team in one group is significantly weaker than the other.

It's not so much the decision to do this that bothers me, but that they have changed the rules after the competition has started.

[papereyes]

I think changing it mid-competition is pretty wretched to be honest.

Sometimes, 'big' teams do badly. Sometimes, 'lesser' teams do well.

It happens. Deal with it.

[Gus the teenage cow]

I think changing it mid-competition is pretty wretched to be honest.

Sometimes, 'big' teams do badly. Sometimes, 'lesser' teams do well.

It happens. Deal with it.

It stinks, either decide it will be seeded based on world rankings from the start or have an open draw, don't wait until france, portugal and possibly germany are in trouble and change tact

fifa = scum

[Thaumagurist*]

It stinks, either decide it will be seeded based on world rankings from the start or have an open draw, don't wait until france, portugal and possibly germany are in trouble and change tact

fifa = scum

Hmmm, yeah. How many Germans and Frenchmen are on the FIFA council?

I'm fairly sure that the current chairman is from neither country.

However, the one in charge of UEFA is a Frenchman....

[(.)Boobies(.)]

^ pity post.

[Alivey]

I think changing it mid-competition is pretty wretched to be honest.

Sometimes, 'big' teams do badly. Sometimes, 'lesser' teams do well.

It happens. Deal with it.

It stinks, either decide it will be seeded based on world rankings from the start or have an open draw, don't wait until france, portugal and possibly germany are in trouble and change tact

fifa = scum

agreed

[FiNeRaIn]

Agree with the two Irishmen, absolutely laughable from FIFA. You qualify on merit from ALREADY SEEDED groups, you can't seed them again in the playoffs to give them yet another chance to qualify. Its absolutely bull. Disgusting IMO.

[Ian Royal]

What a joke

[Thames]

Out of order in my opinion.

I'd rather see the undergogs get their day in the sun.

[Barry the bird boggler]

Here's to seeing the "seeding" fail miserably and all the "top" sides go crashing out rather than 1 or 2.

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Quite simply, FIFA are shitting themselves about the following players missing out on the finals:

Ronaldo
Messi
Ibrahimovic
Eto'o
Anyone french

i guess this helps them a little bit more. Standard procedure for todays corporate football. shit, but not exactly surprising.

[Focher]

Quite simply, FIFA are shitting themselves about the following players missing out on the finals:

Ronaldo
Messi
Ibrahimovic
Eto'o
Anyone french

i guess this helps them a little bit more. Standard procedure for todays corporate football. shit, but not exactly surprising.

Quite right.

Todays football is a total farce, even FIFA are thinking cash 24/7. Total bollox.

[Thaumagurist*]

Quite simply, FIFA are shitting themselves about the following players missing out on the finals:

Ronaldo
Messi
Ibrahimovic
Eto'o
Anyone french

i guess this helps them a little bit more. Standard procedure for todays corporate football. shit, but not exactly surprising.

But they didn't give a give a shit about Beckham missing out on playing in a finals, did they? Neither did they give a shit about Ryan Giggs missing out on every single finals!

[Stranded]

It's the first African World Cup and they want the best (read those with the biggest name players ) there. Disgraceful.

[Row Z Royal]

Quite simply, FIFA are shitting themselves about the following players missing out on the finals:

Ronaldo
Messi
Ibrahimovic
Eto'o
Anyone french

i guess this helps them a little bit more. Standard procedure for todays corporate football. shit, but not exactly surprising.

But they didn't give a give a shit about Beckham missing out on playing in a finals, did they? Neither did they give a shit about Ryan Giggs missing out on every single finals!

Did Wales reach as much as a play-off in recent years?

[Silver Fox]

and which world cup could FIFA have stopped beckham from missing?

Terrible idea but Spacey as ever almost makes you want to back FIFA's plan