World Cup 2018 Qualifying

Group A: Netherlands,   France, Sweden,   Bulgaria, Belarus, Luxembourg
Group B: Portugal, Switzerland,   Hungary, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Andorra
Group C: Germany, Czech Republic, NORTHERN IRELAND,  Norway, Azerbaijan, San Marino
Group D: WALES,  Austria,   Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Moldova, Georgia, 
Group E: Romania,   Denmark, Poland,   Montenegro, Armenia, Kazakhstan
Group F: ENGLAND,  Slovakia,  SCOTLAND,  Malta, Lithuania, Slovenia
Group G: Spain, Italy,   Albania, Israel, Macedonia, Liechtenstein
Group H: Belgium,   Bosnia-Hercegovina, Greece, Estonia, Cyprus
Group I : Croatia, Iceland, Ukraine, Turkey, Finland

I think Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England all have a chance of qualifying either automatic or playoffs.

Group I will be an interesting one to keep an eye on.

Was just gonna post this myself so thanks for beating me to it

I'll take our group. Could have been better could have been worse

Come on Wales

Steffan wrote:I'll take our group. Could have been better

Not by much.

Lowlandbrit wrote:

Steffan wrote:I'll take our group. Could have been better

Not by much.

True. I would have preferred Group F though

I'd say Wales should top that group, which would be great. Actually think Ireland will be their hardest game and that shows how well the draw has gone. Which means it's gone well for Ireland too. 

Italy should stomp to best second placed team, and most of the likely second places should hope they or France do so they're out of the way of the playoffs.

Absolute disgrace that this tournament is being held in a country with such a homophobic, racist, backward outlook; absolutely shameful that UEFA, or any individual nation, are not pulling out.

Why would any right-minded individual give a toss about this World Cup, when the whole event will be a massive PR victory for Putin?

And, given the disgusting nature of what happened to Frimpong recently, as well as other incidents, is it reasonable to expect players with a dark skin colour to actually play in this World Cup?

I'm interested because it's football. And I'm also genuinely intrigued to see whether there are any political differences made.

However, can we keep this about the football and not the rest?

Keep this about football, the secondary objective of this World Cup?

Course we can. Forgive my intrusion.

What a dire group, why do we keep drawing the same old teams. Another mind numbingly boring qualifying campaign to look forward too.

Duty281 wrote:Absolute disgrace that this tournament is being held in a country with such a homophobic, racist, backward outlook; absolutely shameful that UEFA, or any individual nation, are not pulling out.

Why would any right-minded individual give a toss about this World Cup, when the whole event will be a massive PR victory for Putin?

And, given the disgusting nature of what happened to Frimpong recently, as well as other incidents, is it reasonable to expect players with a dark skin colour to actually play in this World Cup?

So if England were to win it then you wouldn't celebrate the victory or watch any matches I take it

Steffan wrote:

Duty281 wrote:Absolute disgrace that this tournament is being held in a country with such a homophobic, racist, backward outlook; absolutely shameful that UEFA, or any individual nation, are not pulling out.

Why would any right-minded individual give a toss about this World Cup, when the whole event will be a massive PR victory for Putin?

And, given the disgusting nature of what happened to Frimpong recently, as well as other incidents, is it reasonable to expect players with a dark skin colour to actually play in this World Cup?

So if England were to win it then you wouldn't celebrate the victory or watch any matches I take it

Quite correct. It is morally repugnant that the FA are, currently, being complicit.

Duty281 wrote:Quite correct. It is morally repugnant that the FA are, currently, being complicit.

Come on man get a grip. No country is perfect and many have governments that other parts of the world don't agree with. No one here or the majority of people on your FA condone racist, sexist or homophobic behaviour either

If we were to judge world cups on 'how good people you have been over the years' then surely only about 5 major nations would ever be eligible. Look at South Africa and all the trouble over there for the last century. Yet they held a great world cup IMO

Every nation has idiots especially when it comes to football fans. Just some have more than others. Letting politics spoil sport is not good

Steffan wrote:

Duty281 wrote:Quite correct. It is morally repugnant that the FA are, currently, being complicit.

Come on man get a grip. No country is perfect and many have governments that other parts of the world don't agree with. No one here or the majority of people on your FA condone racist, sexist or homophobic behaviour either

If we were to judge world cups on 'how good people you have been over the years' then surely only about 5 major nations would ever be eligible. Look at South Africa and all the trouble over there for the last century. Yet they held a great world cup IMO

Every nation has idiots especially when it comes to football fans. Just some have more than others. Letting politics spoil sport is not good

Yes, but by allowing Russia to host the World Cup, they are condoning the behaviour of the Russian government. They're saying: "Yes, Mr. Putin, your government has an appalling human rights record, but we'll let you host the most prestigious sporting event in the world, and you can freely boast about how great you perceive your nation to be on the greatest propaganda platform of them all."

Similar to the World Cup held in 1934, in Italy, or the 1936 Olympics.

Not the worst group for ROI.

Steffan, looking forward to playing Wales again.
Also a trip to Cardiff, always have a good time there, be it football or rugby.

westisbest wrote:Not the worst group for ROI.

Steffan, looking forward to playing Wales again.
Also a trip to Cardiff, always have a good time there, be it football or rugby.

Yeah last time you guys were here for the football it was one of the best cracks we have had with an away team since I been watching Wales

Been to Dublin once for the rugby but hoping a football trip could be on the cards

Agree that decent enough group for both sides

Considering England's lack of enthusiasm, will and determination, I wouldn't bother with them. I would encourage people to save their pennies and not spend money on England and or the WC. Don't bother wasting your time.

Years and years of guaranteed failure is not acceptable especially if they don't learn a damn thing. If history has proven anything it's that England doesn't learn the easy way and barely the hard way. It is a joke. I would rule only one person out of any blame and that would be Rashford.

So, if you think England will do well in 2018 then you might want to think again.

Just the excruciatingly slow phase we now have to endure of watching England canter to an easy group win over the next 18 months. No real point discussing England now, until a week before the actual tournament, after we've come through three easy warm-up friendly games in May 2018.

James Milner retires from International football

After 30 minutes or so a Ronaldo less Portugal is already losing 2-0 against Switzerland. Going to be tough for them if they rely on one hit wonder Eder to get out of a group also containing Hungary.
Gibraltar equalised against Greece is also a small upset.

Benteke scored against Gibraltar after seven seconds