Playing for 90
Fansided

FIFA World Cup Qualifying Draw: What did we Learn?

By Chris Jones

Sep 10, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; United States fans hold up scarves during the national anthem before the game against Mexico at Columbus Crew Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; United States fans hold up scarves during the national anthem before the game against Mexico at Columbus Crew Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next

There will be big teams in the European Play-offs

In order to qualify directly for the World Cup out of UEFA, you must win your qualifying group. Those who place second get sent into a home-and-away play-off matchup with a randomly selected opponent.

This means we could see a World Cup without traditional soccer powers such as the Netherlands, France, Portugal, Italy, or Spain.

Netherlands and France were selected in the same group, as were Italy and Spain. Portugal shares a group with Switzerland, who definitely has the talent tow in their qualifying group.

This means that we could see playoff match-ups between these powers, and a major team could be left watching the 2018 World Cup from their couch.

Home/USA Soccer