Comments on: The Next Best Thing to Being a World Cup Seed

By: Eric Altshule

Eric Altshule — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:48 +0000

Unlikely. Spain and Argentina will probably be seeded teams. Portugal might be seeded too.

By: Rex

Rex — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:22:28 +0000

USA worst draw (using speculated pots):
Spain-2
Portugal-6
Argentina-9
USA-11

By: Rex

Rex — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:18:53 +0000

Best possible USA draw:
South Africa-85
Slovenia-49
Ghana-38
USA-11
Just think if USA wasnt drawn from that pot:
South Africa-85
Slovenia-49
Ghana-38
North Korea-91

By: Rex

Rex — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:17:16 +0000

I think FIFA will be force to entertain the possibility of 1 group with two African teams. Too much moving around will have to be done to prevent it.

By: Eric Altshule

Eric Altshule — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:37:23 +0000

From FIFA’s perspective, the only difference between putting CONCACAF with the African teams and putting the COMNEBOL with the African teams is who they prefer to see South Africa face. My gut says that FIFA will believe that SA stands a better chance facing the CONCACAF teams (especially Honduras) and will elect to put CONCACAF in the pot with Africa. Of course, if SA actually draws Honduras, the paranoids who believe the fix is in will have plenty of ammunition when they see that ball open up…….

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:09:42 +0000

I think you’re on to something here; although I think Kartic might be on to something as well.

What do you guys think is better for the World Cup as a competition? Group the 3 CONCACAF teams with the 5 African teams, or with the 5 Asian/Oceana teams? Which level is North America at?

By: Kartik Krishnaiyer

Kartik Krishnaiyer — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:40:19 +0000

Great thoughts Eric, although…….

…..It is also possible that the three CONCACAF teams get put in with the four AFC and single Oceania teams. The five non seeded African teams are placed with the three non seeded COMNEBOL teams.

Obviously, I would rather play South Africa than any other seed, but if we face a COMNEBOL country that is unseeded (Chile, Paraguay or Uruguay) we’d be decided underdogs and would likely have little margin for error in the other two games, which could include Australia or South Korea, which is no easy task. So again, it’s all a crap shoot and you cannot avoid playing good teams in a World Cup.

By: Berlin

Berlin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:23:00 +0000

Never thought of that. Good piece. Careful what you wish for though, remember Korea/Japan in ‘02 and that team that hadn’t won a game since the 50s a few years before.

By: Ted Meyer

Ted Meyer — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:33:08 +0000

I believe the Final Draw is on the 4th not the 5th.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:21:44 +0000

I dunno, i’d feel kind of bad if we were to knock South Africa out at their own world cup…