World Cup 2022 - European Qualifiers

[martini2429]

So, the draw has been made for the European Qualifiers for World Cup 2022

England are in Group I with Poland, Hungary, Albania, San Marino and Andorra

Scotland are in Group F with Denmark, Austria, Israel, Faroe Islands and Moldova

Wales are in Group E with Belgium, Czech Rep. Estonia and Belarus

Northern Ireland are in Group C with Italy, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Lithuania

Rep Ireland are in Group A with Portugal, Serbia, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan

I would say England have a really good chance, can't see them losing a match, but it's England so anything can happen, good chances also for Wales and Rep Ireland, at the very least 2nd spot in their respective Groups and Wales could also have a chance at the play offs as they won their Group in the latest Nations League, however it's looking tough for both Scotland and Norther Ireland

 

[ulstersubbie]

So, the draw has been made for the European Qualifiers for World Cup 2022



Scotland are in Group F with Denmark, Austria, Israel, Faroe Islands and Moldova

As a Scot, I lost interest in our national team a long time ago for obvious reasons. This will be another disaster, Denmark to win group with Austria runners up. We might beat the Faroes and have a wee swally afterwards!!

[mr.bluesky]

Strange how England and Poland always seem to get drawn together in the same group 

[martini2429]

Strange how England and Poland always seem to get drawn together in the same group 

I know and I think Scotland will be sick of the sight of Israel having played them at least 6 times in the last few years, 2 Nations League campaigns and the Euro playoffs

 

[Gordon Bennett]

They should have some sort of rule/seeding preventing any two countries being in same qualifying group twice in succession, gets tedious playing same ones again. Also, likes of San Marino should have a pre-qualifying tournament - these micro countries are just boring to watch lining up behind the ball trying to keep score in single figures. The concept of developing or growing the game in Lichtenstein is just utterly pointless - I think it's more about a nice little earner for some bureaucrats and blazers.

[martini2429]

They should have some sort of rule/seeding preventing any two countries being in same qualifying group twice in succession, gets tedious playing same ones again. Also, likes of San Marino should have a pre-qualifying tournament - these micro countries are just boring to watch lining up behind the ball trying to keep score in single figures. The concept of developing or growing the game in Lichtenstein is just utterly pointless - I think it's more about a nice little earner for some bureaucrats and blazers.

They are seeded, that's what all the different Pots are about, Top seeds in Pot 1 then Pot 2, Pot 3 etc etc, then it's an open draw, so Scotland drawing Israel for the umpteenth time is just hard luck, when there are only 55 teams then you are bound to play someone quite a few times, hopefully Scotland will know how to beat them this time.  Might make it more interesting if they put all 55 teams into one pot and drew them one at a time, first 6 teams into Group A, then next 6 teams into Group B etc etc

 

[mr.bluesky]

Teams like San Marino and Andorra should be made to pre-qualify . They have no chance of finishing above bottom place in the groups they are just there to make up the numbers

[Matrix]

Teams like San Marino and Andorra should be made to pre-qualify . They have no chance of finishing above bottom place in the groups they are just there to make up the numbers

Same could've been said about Iceland, a few years ago. 

[Blackpool Rock]

Teams like San Marino; Andorra and Scotland should be made to pre-qualify . They have no chance of finishing above bottom place in the groups they are just there to make up the numbers

Corrected that last post for you 

[mr.bluesky]

Same could've been said about Iceland, a few years ago.

Iceland always had one or two decent players who played in this country in the premier league or championship. Country's like San Marino usually just park the bus in the hope of not conceding too many goals. Having said that England conceeded their quickest ever goal in international football against San Marino. Under 9 seconds in a world cup qualifer from a bad back pass from Stuart Pearce

[Matrix]

Iceland always had one or two decent players who played in this country in the premier league or championship. Country's like San Marino usually just park the bus in the hope of not conceding too many goals. Having said that England conceeded their quickest ever goal in international football against San Marino. Under 9 seconds in a world cup qualifer from a bad back pass from Stuart Pearce

I remember it well.