Last night, the number of teams holding invites to World Cup 2014 doubled to 10, and now includes our own USMNT. Let's take a quick look at the field so far, in order of ticket punch:
Brazil (host)
Japan
Australia
Iran
South Korea
The Netherlands
Italy
United States
Costa Rica
Argentina
Do note there is a fair chance one of those Asian teams ends up in the USMNT's group next summer.
And while we're tracking the invites, let's also note that Bob Bradley has now steered Egypt to the final round of CAF qualifying. The Pharaohs were the only African side to run through the second run a perfect 6-for-6 for wins. They will learn their two-leg playoff match-up in Monday's draw. Here's the recap of Tuesday's victory.
- Greg Seltzer
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
11 comments:
I like the team's chances against Iran and Australia. South Korea would be tough, though they've been floundering a bit.
Japan though, that could be a doozy.
Greg, you don't think CONCACAF and AFC will be placed in the same pot, as has been done in the last two World Cups?
Well, BTM, that's still a TBD. If the fourth CONCACAF team beats New Zealand, then yes. Right now, I'm not entirely convinced they will.
Considering Egypt's perfect run through the semi final round, seems a bit crappy that they are unseeded for the playoff draw and could very well end up facing Ghana, Ivory Coast, or Nigeria in a home and home for a spot in the World Cup (as opposed to getting to face, for example, Burkina Faso or Ethiopia).
couchtoast, im not sure you are right about that. it looks like the five highest ranked group winners are in one pot and the next five make up the other pot, and Egypt currently sit as the fifth highest ranked group winner, with a chance to pass Nigeria after the new rankings come out tomorrow.
besides, the draw is taking place in cairo, so Egypt have that going for them.
Actually Egypt is ranked 8th of the group winners, but new rankings do come out tomorrow.
dude, stop it!!! please
im sorry, they are 8th
Egypt went from tenth in the world two years ago all the way down to 61st today, in spite of a perfect record. that loss to Qatar in a friendly must have really hurt the rankings.
I guess we should be hoping egypt gets drawn against cape verde islands, although Algeria would make it epic
Greg, off topic, but any news on Gooch? I remember you saying something about Brugge not being real, but I've seen a French report linking him to Ligue 2 side Metz. Any truth to that? [http://www.les-transferts.com/ligue-2/onyewu-sentraine-en-france-77516.html]
Egypt's failure to qualify for the last two AFCON is what doomed their spot in the rankings.
Post a Comment