Soccer (football) World Cup 2018

There is a system, but it's random within that.  4 pots is the key.

http://www.fifa.com/...ks-2921565.html

You can watch the video (45 minutes) of the draw when it was live here > >   https://www.facebook...19923158023521/

Pot #1, with the 7 top world teams plus host Russia are emptied into the 8 groups.   1 in each group.  Then they do the same with pot #2.  After that I'm not sure it matters all that much.   So there is no way to have any of the top 7 world teams in any of the same groups.

Russia just got lucky in that after it was placed in its group, the teams added to its group from each of the pots after were towards the bottom.

The "group of death" thing is a little dramatic, as it's really often referred to as such in that the "popular" or widely-followed, or large countries might end up in one group.  Not really a bunch of top-ranked ones.  If you ended up with Germany, Brazil and England in one group, that would certainly be called a group of death, even if England was ranked #17 and Germany #12. 

Edited by VicHockeyFan, 03 December 2017 - 08:08 AM.

Similarly, Poland is in the top pot #1 this year.  It might not be seriously considered a "death' team if it got in one group with, say, Germany and England.  But Spain would, even though it's from pot #2.

(For this argument, I'm discarding the fact that Germany is in pot #1 this year, so the above matchups are not even possible - I'm just using a hypothetical year).

Edited by VicHockeyFan, 03 December 2017 - 08:13 AM.

 

 

For the second time in a week, President Trump on Monday urged other countries to support the North American bid to host the 2026 World Cup and again implied there might be consequences for those who did not. The comments, made during a news conference in the Rose Garden, raised new questions about whether Mr. Trump’s input constitutes political interference in the bidding process, which could jeopardize the joint bid by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

https://www.nytimes....ld-cup-bid.html

The comments, made during a news conference in the Rose Garden, raised new questions about whether Mr. Trump’s input constitutes political interference in the bidding process, which could jeopardize the joint bid by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

 

It's FIFA for gosh sakes!  No more corrupt organization has never been known (right ahead of IOC).  NYT need not get themselves in a knot!  I think his boosterism is great!

(Four sentences, three exclamation points)

Edited by VicHockeyFan, 01 May 2018 - 03:33 PM.

It's FIFA for gosh sakes!  No more corrupt organization has never been known (right ahead of IOC).  NYT need not get themselves in a knot!  I think his boosterism is great!

 

(Four sentences, three exclamation points)

Interesting trivia point. You know who brought the roof down on the FIFA scandal? The FBI based on information provided to them by a certain Christopher Steele.

/true fact

Interesting trivia point. You know who brought the roof down on the FIFA scandal? The FBI based on information provided to them by a certain Christopher Steele.

 

/true fact

Oh ya, it was comical that the US brought down FIFA. And not Euro regulations.

Trying to figure what channels the world cup is going to be shown on to make sure I get it...anyone have any ideas?

Trying to figure what channels the world cup is going to be shown on to make sure I get it...anyone have any ideas?

TSN and CTV are broadcasting the World Cup:  https://www.tsn.ca/f...edule-1.1095011

^ Two for two!

Why are we talking about soccer and not the infinitely more interesting golden knights/caps game that starts in 40 minutes?

Canada to co-host (along with USA and Mexico) the 2026 World Cup...

http://www.cbc.ca/sp...d-cup-1.4703826

(Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton)

I'm just going to put this out there, but keep in mind that 2026 is two election cycles away. Two federal elections between now and then, two provincial, two municipal. That's a lot of opportunity for change.

Major event bids never end up looking they way they are submitted. Chatting with some folks in the know in Vancouver recently, it sounds very much like that city is not totally dead just yet. All it will take is a shift in priorities (which likely means a shift in provincial government) in one of those election cycles. I think this event will be a big conversation topic in the 2021 Provincial Election cycle, with the BC Liberals almost assuredly backing it 100%.

^ I hope not, unless FIFA dramatically changes their demands. 

^ I hope not, unless FIFA dramatically changes their demands.

In case there is any any doubt as to my allegiance I'll simply say this.... deutschland uber alles.!

Its Die Mannschaft vs Mexico at 8am PST - awesome: I get to see my favorite footie team and still have the bulk of a great sunny day ahead of me and I don't have to get up at some silly time in the middle of the night.....win-win-win.

Iceland tied Argentina in a big upset. 

Just so you know, the population of Iceland is slightly less than the population of the Capital Regional District.

Canadians suck at soccer.

Iceland tied Argentina in a big upset. 

 

Just so you know, the population of Iceland is slightly less than the population of the Capital Regional District.

 

Canadians suck at soccer.

Wrong. Canadian prioritize other sports over soccer. Our best male team sport athletes become hockey players. Personally, I prefer that.