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Originally Posted by FaaipDeOiad
Cameroon and Nigeria deserve a world cup spot more than Norway and Ireland, frankly. Uruguay also warrant a spot, and Columbia aren't bad either.
Four more European spots would be pretty ridiculous, given the performance of the likes of Poland, Serbia & Montenegro, and even Ukraine, who despite making the quarters haven't exactly done anything of note so far, and got blessed with the easiest draw around by far. The performance of European nations has been pretty good at this world cup, but it is in Europe after all, and the lesser European teams haven't done any better than most of the teams from Africa.
If 36 places was the new mark, I'd add one to Africa, one to South America and two to Europe, at most, and let Asia/North America keep their shared spot that they have now. If they stay at 32, I'd either take that shared spot and give it to Africa, or take the third outright qualification position from North/Central America and give that to Africa.
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There will always be teams that underperform like S&M. However, look at the breakdown of the 1/4 finalists. There are 6 European and 2 S.American Teams. Adding in another African country is a joke. Weakens the competition further. Look how poor Togo are and they qualified ahead of Nigeria, Senegal etc. Sad fact is that Africa has produced a number of very good player and their teams have advanced but European soccer has progressed faster.
As for the Europeans not getting enough places just look in recent times of good teams that were unable to qualify do to the strength of competition in Europe and a few other factors including luck.
- 1990 Italy World Cup 3rd place but could not qualify for Euro Championships in 1992 EDITED
- 1990 and 1994 Denmark did not qualify for the World Cup but won the Euro Championship in 1992
- 1990 England were Semi-Finalists but unable to qualify in 1994
- 1994 France were unable to qualify but won the tournament in 1998
- 2004 European Champions Greece were unable to qualify for the 2006 World Cup
European football is lightyears ahead of the rest of the World in terms of depth. As I said earlier, other regions have been improving but the Euros have been getter at a faster rate and they are increasing the gap.
Europe produces a massive number of quality teams. S. America should never get an extra place as their is so little competition for the final place as it is. Qualification in S. America is too easy. Who cares if Uruaguay or Peru did not make it. Looking at the football its easy to appreciate that they are not very good.
Actually I might also take a place away from N. America (CONCACAF). US, T&T and Costa Rica seems 1 place too many for the quality of football provided.
For those who think Im sqeezing out other regions, I do not care about where teams come from but I am interested getting the best soccer. I dont see how being the 3rd best team in a crappy football region allows qualification to the World Cup when you are never going to be anything but a passenger and countless teams from other regions (some capable of winning the thing) are denied the opportunuty.
AS A COMPRIMISE How about each region gets 1 place (Euro, Asia, Africa etc) and then global qualifying rather than regional. At least the best teams would make it.