Official World Cup 2014 Qualifying Thread (Blame It On RIO)

[GirlySports]

Canada in Group D with St. Kitts, Puerto Rico and S. Lucia

EAAAAAAAASY

now let's see if they can get Cuba in the next stage.. that would be a dream

[Montana Moe]

I guess this is the best thread to fit this in... What is everyone's opinion of the Klinsmann hire for the U.S.?

There seems to be a positive reception in general, with a vocal minority opposed. If he can advance the development program, and bring an offensive style, I'm all for it. Obviously, the elite athletes in the U.S. tend to be steered toward other sports, so developing the talent they get has to be most important.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

This was good for Canada, was it not??

[GirlySports]

Canada got both Cuba and Honduras.. best possible outcome!

If they can't get through to the Hex, they really suck

[CofR]

So, I'm a little confused

Canada has to win their group in Round 2 and Round 3, and then go on to a final group where the first 3 qualify, and if we place 4th then we face an Asian nation in a playoff for the last spot? Is that right?

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by CofR

So, I'm a little confused

Canada has to win their group in Round 2 and Round 3, and then go on to a final group where the first 3 qualify, and if we place 4th then we face an Asian nation in a playoff for the last spot? Is that right?

Yup that's right. Win the group in round 2, just need to be top 2 in the group in Round 3.

To get to Rio, Canada will have to play 22 matches. 24 if they go via the playoffs.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

I guess this is the best thread to fit this in... What is everyone's opinion of the Klinsmann hire for the U.S.?

There seems to be a positive reception in general, with a vocal minority opposed. If he can advance the development program, and bring an offensive style, I'm all for it. Obviously, the elite athletes in the U.S. tend to be steered toward other sports, so developing the talent they get has to be most important.

It's a good choice since the team with Bradley seemed to be stale. It's really hard to be a National Team coach. The US success is based on a few matches every 4 years. That's tough.

[GirlySports]

haha Fat Ronaldo will draw Europe.

[GirlySports]

Wales is in Pot 6? wow they have fallen.. and they are out right away in Group A.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Group A has Croatia, Serbia and Macedonia. Could get ugly.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Personally happy with Portugal's group. No reason that they can't win this thing and their stiffest test will be an away game in Russia. Israel is my dark horse team to make a run at qualifying, but I obviously now hope that I'm wrong.

Should be a relatively easy road for Portugal, but they never make things easy on themselves and I expect no different come fall 2012.

[GirlySports]

England has yet another tricky long distance route into Eastern Europe.

Group H: England, Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, San Marino

[Cheerio]

When will Canada's matches start?

[shermanator]

Relatively easy group for Canada, in a group with the 118th, 137th, and 187th ranked teams. Canada should be victorious in the group with relative ease, but that being said, the Canadian men's national team does not like to do things easily.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Group A has Croatia, Serbia and Macedonia. Could get ugly.

Should be interesting to say the least.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

When will Canada's matches start?

SOON!

The 6 matches in the 2nd Round group will be played from September 2 to November 15 2011

[Cactus Jack]

Originally Posted by NBC

Logistically France would be easier. I'd suspect intercity travel to be simpler and possibly cheaper. Plus they have the infrastructure to handle huge sporting events. I'm not sure how well modern Brazil is going to handle hosting a World Cup.

Originally Posted by Lee of Red

No one gave South Africa a chance. I went and it was fantastic. I'll keep an open mind about Brazil.

I live in Sao Paulo and it won't be pretty. Brazil is getting richer but there is still poverty, crime, inequality and shabby infrastructure if you compare it to Canada. Sao Paulo is now officially the world's 10th most expensive city, it has lots of good options, beaches nearby and nice things but it will cost you.

The airports are disorganized, hotels aren't cheap and you do have to worry about safety to some degree, but things for the world cup will be just fine. South Africa is a lot like that and everyone I know that went there was just fine. Same thing here, just remember it's not Canada.

Good draw for Canada today, how about we start up a thread so we can follow news about our side and the qualifiers?

[d_phaneuf]

A.
Croatia
Serbia
Belgium
Scotland
FYR Macedonia
Wales

B.
Italy
Denmark
Czech Republic
Bulgaria
Armenia
Malta

C.
Germany
Sweden
Ireland
Austria
Faroes
Kazakhstan

D.
Netherlands
Turkey
Hungary
Romania
Estonia
Andorra

E.
Norway
Slovenia
Switzerland
Albania
Cyprus
Iceland

F.
Portugal
Russia
Israel
Northern Ireland
Azerbaijan
Luxembourg

G.
Greece
Slovakia
Bosnia
Lithuania
Latvia
Liechtenstein

H.
England
Montenegro
Ukraine
Poland
Moldova
San Marino

I.
Spain
France
Belarus
Georgia
Finland


group A is nuts, Macedonia are the only walkover there, could see any of the other 5 finish 1st or make the playoffs

England get another free pass, will dominate qualifying before a qf exit... rinse and repeat

[wpgflamesfan]

I'm actually really pumped about slovenia's group. Doesn't look all that difficult.

[cheevers]

Group A is just going to be dangerous; Macedonia, Serbia and Croatia hate eachother! Going to be a few of those games being played behind closed doors.