World Cup 2018 Qualifiers

[obruxo1997]

So, the 21st World Cup is less than 2 Years away, and what better place to have it in than SOVIET UNION!t Russia! Russia is currently the only one up to now that is in, leaving 31 Spots up for grabs. Here is a current look at how the tables are in all Confederations, along with some predictions:

 

Asia-

Iran is leading Group A, with strong potentials Uzbekistan going in 2nd. Asian giants South Korea are in 3rd and are in the 5th Place play-off spot, while Syria, Qatar, and China are following. Group B is currently led by Saudi Arabia, with reigning Asia Cup Champions Australia behind by 2 Points, and Japan being in 3rd place. United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Thailand follow Japan.

 

I predict that South Korea should take Group A, and Uzbekistan make it to their 1st World Cup, leaving Iran to go to the Play-Off for the Intercontinental Series. Australia should win Group B, with Japan making it, leaving Saudi Arabia to the Play-Off for the Intercontinental Series. Iran from there would knock out Saudi Arabia.

 

Africa-

The CAF have a different setting this year, having 5 Groups, where the winner makes the final tournament (Compared to 10 groups 4 years ago, where the winners went into a playoff against each other. Group A is tied with DR Congo and Tunisia for the lead, Group B being the "Group of Death" with Nigeria having a substantial lead over Cameroon and Algeria (All three made the last World Cup in Brazil), Group C is lead fairly by Ivory Coast, Group D is led by Burkina Faso with South Africa and Senegal chasing the lead, and Group E is led by Egypt over Ghana and Uganda.

 

I predict that Group A should go to Tunisia, marking their return to the World Cup 12 years later; Group B should fall to Nigeria, but I expect Cameroon to put a fight; Ivory Coast should take Group C without an issue, Group D should see either South Africa or Senegal make it, and I sincerely want to see Senegal return to the World Cup (Their only appearance was in 2002, where they shocked then Reigning Champions France, and they made it to the Quarter-Finals, finishing 7th);Group E should mark Egypt's return, 28 Years later to the World Cup

 

North/Central America and Caribbean-

The "Hexagonal Round" kicked off in a historic fashion, with United States playing against Mexico in Columbus, Ohio, with Mexico defeating USA, 2-1, marking the end of a 15-year loosing streak in Columbus (They lost each home game 2-0 from the WCQ of 2002 to WCQ of 2014). Currently, Costa Rica leads the group, with Mexico in 2nd and Panama in 3rd. USA are in the Playoff Spot, with Trinidad and Tobago and Honduras being outside of the World Cup.

 

I predict that Mexico should win Top Spot to the Cup, with USA following in 2nd, and Costa Rica make a return after their Cinderella run in 2014. Panama, who was 5 minutes away 3 years ago towards making the Play-Offs and eliminating Mexico, will make the Play-Offs. Honduras and Trinidad & Tobago will fail to make it.

 

South America-

Currently, the big story is the potential for Argentina to fail to make the World Cup since they're in 6th. Brazil are leading (Like always) the round, with Uruguay surprisingly in 2nd (They normally get 5th Place), Colombia in 3rd, and Ecuador in 4th. Reigning 2-Time Copa America Champions Chile are in the Play-Off Spot, with Argentina behind by a point.

 

I Predict for Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia to go in automatically, with Chile taking 4th. Argentina will have to get their head in the game, and it is all up to them to make the World Cup. If they don't, I see Ecuador in the Play-Offs.

 

Oceania-

New Zealand should make it. It would make sense, since they're the best of the region.

 

Europe-

France, Germany, England, Spain, Belgium, and Croatia are leading their groups as expected, with some surprises such as Ireland and Poland leading their groups. Reigning Euro Champs Portugal, Italy and Netherlands are currently in Play-Off spots and are trying to make a name to themselves and take over their groups. Surprises Northern Ireland and Serbia are in 2nd Place and face potential Play-Off Spots.

 

I Predict for France, Portugal, Germany, Wales, Poland, England, Spain, Belgium, and Croatia to make it automatically, with Italy, Netherlands, Ireland, and Switzerland making the Final Tournament.

 

Intercontinental Play-Offs-

I Should see Iran and Panama play against each other, where Iran should be able to make it, while either Ecuador or Argentina thrash New Zealand to make the World Cup

 

 

My teams to make it-

Russia (Hosts)

Australia

South Korea

Japan

Uzbekistan

Tunisia

Senegal

Nigeria

Ivory Coast

Egypt

Mexico

USA

Costa Rica

Brazil

Uruguay

Colombia

Chile

France

Portugal

Germany

Wales

Poland

England

Spain

Belgium

Croatia

Italy

Netherlands

Ireland

Switzerland

Iran

Argentina/Ecuador

[The NZA]

thorough breakdown, good work man! i'm rooting for ireland & croatia, but we'll see how they fare.

[obruxo1997]

thorough breakdown, good work man! i'm rooting for ireland & croatia, but we'll see how they fare.

I'm rooting for Spain, but I would sincerely hope to see Portugal win the World Cup

[obruxo1997]

In a related news story, the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup draw was done today, where the Host nation, reigning champions and the 6 confederation winners were placed into groups for the "dress rehearsal" of the World Cup. The following groups were drawn:

Group A- Russia, New Zealand, Portugal, Mexico

Group B- Champions of Africa (Africa does not decide the continental champion until January 2017), Chile, Australia, Germany

 

The opening match will be Russia vs New Zealand in Saint Petersburg, on June 17th.