Starting XI
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Lingardinho wrote:

With the 1.5 spots I'm not trying to be a smart ass but isn't it one and a third cause its 6 teams for 2 places (I'm probably wrong tbh) 

Well given 2 of those teams progress directly to the semis and that the other 4 play quarter finals its probably closer to 1.125 spots as Oceania teams aren't likely to be in the automatic semi-finalists (because it is based on rankings)
Marquee
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almost 17 years

Awesome for us if true.  However, I still hold faint hopes that the WC will be moved away from Qatar... hate the idea of a middle of the season WC, in the heat - as if there wasn't enough disruption in professional football as it is.

Legend
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over 16 years

great news if we get auto entry into WC 2022 - don't care where it is...

Marquee
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almost 17 years

Awesome for us if true.  However, I still hold faint hopes that the WC will be moved away from Qatar... hate the idea of a middle of the season WC, in the heat - as if there wasn't enough disruption in professional football as it is.

Goodbye to any meaningful senior mens international football games in NZ ever again :(

Marquee
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over 12 years

aitkenmike wrote:

Awesome for us if true.  However, I still hold faint hopes that the WC will be moved away from Qatar... hate the idea of a middle of the season WC, in the heat - as if there wasn't enough disruption in professional football as it is.

Goodbye to any meaningful senior mens international football games in NZ ever again :(

Unless we co-host a 48 (or more) team World Cup with the Aussies, to throw OFC a bone and to put it in a good time zone for the Asian tv market. Could have a group or two based here.

But yeah, it's annoying. And a 48 team world cup is just too bloated and the format of 3 team groups will encourage teams to play for draws. It's a shame after the last two world cups being so entertaining too.

Starting XI
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over 8 years

aitkenmike wrote:

Awesome for us if true.  However, I still hold faint hopes that the WC will be moved away from Qatar... hate the idea of a middle of the season WC, in the heat - as if there wasn't enough disruption in professional football as it is.

Goodbye to any meaningful senior mens international football games in NZ ever again :(

Going to every World Cup > Meaningful games in NZ, as nice as they would be.
Marquee
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almost 17 years

aitkenmike wrote:

Awesome for us if true.  However, I still hold faint hopes that the WC will be moved away from Qatar... hate the idea of a middle of the season WC, in the heat - as if there wasn't enough disruption in professional football as it is.

Goodbye to any meaningful senior mens international football games in NZ ever again :(

What meaningful games in NZ? If you take out Bahrain, Mexico and Peru...

At least with regular WC participation we have finally have a bit of $ to invest in friendly games...

I love my games when they're played in NZ but if I have to choose between one play-off game every 4 years and no WC OR NZ at the WC every four years and no play-off games, I choose the latter option.

EDIT: I'm an idiot 

Marquee
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almost 17 years

Nelfoos wrote:

aitkenmike wrote:

Awesome for us if true.  However, I still hold faint hopes that the WC will be moved away from Qatar... hate the idea of a middle of the season WC, in the heat - as if there wasn't enough disruption in professional football as it is.

Goodbye to any meaningful senior mens international football games in NZ ever again :(

Going to every World Cup > Meaningful games in NZ, as nice as they would be.

Maybe i'm selfish, as I understand the financial implications, but I would rather have one meaningful game at home every 4 years that I actually get to watch live in person, with the chance of earning a spot in the world cup, than two meaningful games every four years at the world cup.  And yes, I acknowledge I am discounting the Island teams, perhaps unfairly.

Marquee
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almost 17 years

aitkenmike wrote:

Awesome for us if true.  However, I still hold faint hopes that the WC will be moved away from Qatar... hate the idea of a middle of the season WC, in the heat - as if there wasn't enough disruption in professional football as it is.

Goodbye to any meaningful senior mens international football games in NZ ever again :(

What meaningful games in NZ? If you take out Bahrain, Mexico and Peru...


Well yes, if you take out the only meaningful games, there are no meaningful games! ;-) 

Legend
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almost 17 years

Awesome for us if true.  However, I still hold faint hopes that the WC will be moved away from Qatar... hate the idea of a middle of the season WC, in the heat - as if there wasn't enough disruption in professional football as it is.

If they change it to 48 teams then maybe they will move it. Qatar can't do it alone and their neighbours don't seem keen on sharing. Would be one silver lining at least. Don't like the idea of expansion much but hate the idea of a World Cup in Qatar in November.

Legend
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almost 9 years

aitkenmike wrote:

Awesome for us if true.  However, I still hold faint hopes that the WC will be moved away from Qatar... hate the idea of a middle of the season WC, in the heat - as if there wasn't enough disruption in professional football as it is.

Goodbye to any meaningful senior mens international football games in NZ ever again :(

What meaningful games in NZ? If you take out Bahrain, Mexico and Peru...

At least with regular WC participation we have finally have a bit of $ to invest in friendly games...

I love my games when they're played in NZ but if I have to choose between one play-off game every 4 years and no WC OR NZ at the WC every four years and no play-off games, I choose the latter option.

EDIT: I'm an idiot 

It all depends on whether FIFA proposed Global Nations League, can get off the ground. At this early moment only UEFA (whole concept was an idea from them to start with) and CONCACAF, have run with the idea in their Confeds.

If AFC also setup a Nations League (maybe they are waiting until post Asian Cup) for Asian Confed, you would think FIFA would push for OFC countries to join AFC in some format. One of the reasons Infantino has been pushing this concept, is supposedly to increase the opportunities of developing countries playing meaningful games against stronger nations. I think you could call all the nations in OFC (except maybe NZ), as developing nations - so seems then pointless to not have them join AFC (maybe an East Asia grouping) to increase chances to then play bigger teams.

With proposed setup all OFC nations apparently will start off in the lowest level (4th tier) - so initially just the usual home & away games against minnows. But with promotion & relegation between the various tiers, and if the AWs are good enough to be promoted to even the 3rd tier, they would be playing meaningful home and away against sides of better quality.

Basically the proposed Global Nations League, represents a great chance for the AWs to have regular quality games home & away - something that should excite NZ football fans. Will greatly soften the blow of losing those 4 yearly high stakes Confed playoff games, that would come with an expanded 48 team WC.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1419881

http://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/marcottis-musings/...

Q: What about Oceania?

A: I figured you'd ask that. They don't get a top division -- not when their best side, New Zealand, is ranked 122 in the world. But they still get to play and participate. The top Oceania group will probably be a fourth-tier group.

Marquee
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almost 17 years

coochiee wrote:

It all depends on whether FIFA proposed Global Nations League, can get off the ground. At this early moment only UEFA (whole concept was an idea from them to start with) and CONCACAF, have run with the idea in their Confeds.

...

100% Agree.  IF a global nations league becomes a reality and IF we are eligible to move through the Asian Pyramid, then I am completely on board with the auto qualification for Oceania - best of both worlds

Legend
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almost 9 years

Some interesting articles, about AFC possibly looking top setup a Nations League.

https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-footb...

https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2018/09/409...

No mention of Oceania joining in, but surely if Infantino is talking up increasing opportunities for developing countries to play bigger nations in competitive fixtures - you have to bring the OFC countries into another Confed somewhere. Joining up with the weaker AFC countries initially at the 4th tier level makes sense. Helps that Fiji esp have already been playing a few friendlies against lower quality Asian teams recently. Might as well just make them competitive games rather than friendlies.

Could all depend on what financial carrots FIFA can dangle in front of AFC. Sounds very much like AFC are looking at financial implications, before deciding whether to commit to a Nations League. That maybe the major problem with bringing in the Oceania teams - adding little to none extra commercial revenue.

The basketball Tall Blacks, now have a World Cup qualifying path through Asia. Note NZ Basketball has secured extra sponsors now because of that.

http://nz.basketball/News/tall-blacks-announce-two...

You'd really hope someone at NZF is taking notice of all this, and is letting AFC know that would be dead keen to join an Asian Nations League.



https://forum.insidesport.com.au/2599282/AFC-Natio...

One Asian football fan wants AWs to join in.

Under 7s


Group: Forum Members
Posts: 1, Visits: 0

i am totally for it. get new zealand to join us too so that we would have 48 teams in total. the nations league would be of great benefit for the afc nations

Starting XI
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over 14 years

I don't buy it. Why would afc want to add ofc if it's not going to add anything commerically? I

'I think as we move closer to ofc have a guaranteed wc spot, things will become less friendly, not more?

Legend
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almost 9 years

zonknz wrote:

I don't buy it. Why would afc want to add ofc if it's not going to add anything commerically? I

'I think as we move closer to ofc have a guaranteed wc spot, things will become less friendly, not more?

Who knows FIFA may just 'force' AFC to accept the OFC countries, again in some sort of East Asia tier 4 grouping. Or FIFA just offer AFC some financial carrot to make it happen. 

Obviously of all the OFC nations, NZ would have the most to offer from a commercial angle. Sure we are a small nation of only 4.5M, but we do significant trade in Asia. Plus NZF could agrue EPL players like Wood & Reid (though Reid esp would probably hardly play), would be an attraction for Asian crowds. The EPL is of course huge in Asia.

Have a hunch the East Asian bloc (China, Japan, Sth Korea, Australia) would welcome us in, as long as we paid our way, and played mostly a full strength competitive team. Apart from the Socceroos we play the others in friendlies now & again anyway. West Asia not so friendly I'd say.

Again NZ Basketball seem to be doing it pretty well, so you would really hope someone at NZF is taking notice.

Note any Nations League games, would have to be separate to WC qualifying games, both for AFC & OFC.

Similar to the way UEFA are structuring their Nations League, you would think any AFC Nations League games would effectively replace qualifying games for the next Asian Cup.

First Team Squad
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over 16 years

coochiee wrote:

zonknz wrote:

I don't buy it. Why would afc want to add ofc if it's not going to add anything commerically? I

'I think as we move closer to ofc have a guaranteed wc spot, things will become less friendly, not more?

Who knows FIFA may just 'force' AFC to accept the OFC countries, again in some sort of East Asia tier 4 grouping. Or FIFA just offer AFC some financial carrot to make it happen. 

Obviously of all the OFC nations, NZ would have the most to offer from a commercial angle. Sure we are a small nation of only 4.5M, but we do significant trade in Asia. Plus NZF could agrue EPL players like Wood & Reid (though Reid esp would probably hardly play), would be an attraction for Asian crowds. The EPL is of course huge in Asia.

Have a hunch the East Asian bloc (China, Japan, Sth Korea, Australia) would welcome us in, as long as we paid our way, and played mostly a full strength competitive team. Apart from the Socceroos we play the others in friendlies now & again anyway. West Asia not so friendly I'd say.

Again NZ Basketball seem to be doing it pretty well, so you would really hope someone at NZF is taking notice.

Note any Nations League games, would have to be separate to WC qualifying games, both for AFC & OFC.

Similar to the way UEFA are structuring their Nations League, you would think any AFC Nations League games would effectively replace qualifying games for the next Asian Cup.

Interesting times for NZ football - let's hope we get the right Chair and Board at NZF to push/drive/drag the game in the right direction.

Marquee
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over 12 years

scribbler wrote:

coochiee wrote:

zonknz wrote:

I don't buy it. Why would afc want to add ofc if it's not going to add anything commerically? I

'I think as we move closer to ofc have a guaranteed wc spot, things will become less friendly, not more?

Who knows FIFA may just 'force' AFC to accept the OFC countries, again in some sort of East Asia tier 4 grouping. Or FIFA just offer AFC some financial carrot to make it happen. 

Obviously of all the OFC nations, NZ would have the most to offer from a commercial angle. Sure we are a small nation of only 4.5M, but we do significant trade in Asia. Plus NZF could agrue EPL players like Wood & Reid (though Reid esp would probably hardly play), would be an attraction for Asian crowds. The EPL is of course huge in Asia.

Have a hunch the East Asian bloc (China, Japan, Sth Korea, Australia) would welcome us in, as long as we paid our way, and played mostly a full strength competitive team. Apart from the Socceroos we play the others in friendlies now & again anyway. West Asia not so friendly I'd say.

Again NZ Basketball seem to be doing it pretty well, so you would really hope someone at NZF is taking notice.

Note any Nations League games, would have to be separate to WC qualifying games, both for AFC & OFC.

Similar to the way UEFA are structuring their Nations League, you would think any AFC Nations League games would effectively replace qualifying games for the next Asian Cup.

Interesting times for NZ football - let's hope we get the right Chair and Board at NZF to push/drive/drag the game in the right direction.

If we get a competent board and chair then we can probably take a flying pig to Qatar as well
Legend
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almost 9 years

Getting off topic, but it annoys the shark out of me that the current NZF admin shambles, could well possibly have cost the AWs any chance of playing a friendly or two in the recent Sept, Oct or upcoming Nov FIFA windows.

Can't tell me that wasting cash paying out Martin, having to blow huge lawyer's fees on a review & report, having only an interim CEO in place, having no DoF (Heraf's old role) in place, getting rid of quality staff like Rob Picktstock (ex AWs manager - who was well connected around the world) - hasn't all contributed to NZF either deciding they no cash to currently spend on friendlies and/or having no staff in place to try organise them!

With 8 Kiwis playing in the MLS this season, and a probable similar number in 2019 - the November FIFA window is now the sole window when Schmid is likely to have the least trouble assembling close to a full strenth AWs side. That's based on the MLS not recognising FIFA windows, and many of those 8 Kiwis not being automatic first choices (exceptions Smith & Boxall) at their MLS clubs, so thereby risking their club chances if they take off for international duty. Even for Marinovic it would be a very big risk skipping a MLS match or two, and giving another keeper the chance to come for the Whitecaps and have couple of blinders in goal.

So not having AWs games this November window is a real missed opportunity. Did they even bother to approach Lebanon, who have a sole game in Sydney in Nov?

If a full strength AWs squad is not bought together until November 2019, that will be a full 2 years post the Peru playoffs. What other international football team does that? For football to progress in NZ, it needs more than just the Phoenix, it needs a near full strength AWs playing min 4 games a year

tradition and history
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almost 17 years

coochiee wrote:

Getting off topic, but it annoys the shark out of me that the current NZF admin shambles, could well possibly have cost the AWs any chance of playing a friendly or two in the recent Sept, Oct or upcoming Nov FIFA windows.

Can't tell me that wasting cash paying out Martin, having to blow huge lawyer's fees on a review & report, having only an interim CEO in place, having no DoF (Heraf's old role) in place, getting rid of quality staff like Rob Picktstock (ex AWs manager - who was well connected around the world) - hasn't all contributed to NZF either deciding they no cash to currently spend on friendlies and/or having no staff in place to try organise them!

With 8 Kiwis playing in the MLS this season, and a probable similar number in 2019 - the November FIFA window is now the sole window when Schmid is likely to have the least trouble assembling close to a full strenth AWs side. That's based on the MLS not recognising FIFA windows, and many of those 8 Kiwis not being automatic first choices (exceptions Smith & Boxall) at their MLS clubs, so thereby risking their club chances if they take off for international duty. Even for Marinovic it would be a very big risk skipping a MLS match or two, and giving another keeper the chance to come for the Whitecaps and have couple of blinders in goal.

So not having AWs games this November window is a real missed opportunity. Did they even bother to approach Lebanon, who have a sole game in Sydney in Nov?

If a full strength AWs squad is not bought together until November 2019, that will be a full 2 years post the Peru playoffs. What other international football team does that? For football to progress in NZ, it needs more than just the Phoenix, it needs a near full strength AWs playing min 4 games a year


NZF have been a shambles for 40 years +

Legend
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over 16 years

so so this ^

40 years of bollocks and poor direction, we've made it to two world cups, the first ('82) was the hope of a new era in NZ football - and yet the board managed to squander the money and nothing changed in local football. The second (2010) we were promised that the mistakes of '82 would not occur again. What's improved? Absolutely nothing, we've had payouts, legal costs and limited competitive game time since September 17 when we drew with the Solomons. I'm not counting the Canada closed doors friendly.

Marquee
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over 12 years

theprof wrote:

so so this ^

40 years of bollocks and poor direction, we've made it to two world cups, the first ('82) was the hope of a new era in NZ football - and yet the board managed to squander the money and nothing changed in local football. The second (2010) we were promised that the mistakes of '82 would not occur again. What's improved? Absolutely nothing, we've had payouts, legal costs and limited competitive game time since September 17 when we drew with the Solomons. I'm not counting the Canada closed doors friendly.

Don't forget the money we pissed away on the eligibility fiasco
Starting XI
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almost 17 years

I've kept quiet about it but I was reliably informed that the AWs were going to play UAE in the UAE this month.  I'm guessing the shark storm that NZF found itself in put paid to that.

Legend
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almost 9 years

Marto wrote:

I've kept quiet about it but I was reliably informed that the AWs were going to play UAE in the UAE this month.  I'm guessing the shark storm that NZF found itself in put paid to that.

If true that's a pretty fudgeen sad state of affairs. Going forward the annual November window, is only the FIFA window when will be easy to have most of the large MLS contingent available.

At the moment UAE only have one game in November this year against Egypt.

https://int.soccerway.com/teams/united-arab-emirat...

Even a basket case country like Venezuela, managed to assemble a team in the UAE back in October for a game.

Marquee
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almost 17 years

I still DON'T UNDERSTAND how hard it would be to piggy back on one of the Aussie friendlies and play a game there?!

Legend
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almost 9 years

Getting a bit off topic, so moved to 2018 International Friendlies thread.

Legend
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almost 9 years

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/112937313/no-easy-road-for-all-whites-after-fifa-axes-qatar-world-cup-expansion-plans

Cool. Still a chance of another Bahrain night.

Was thinking yesterday, even Peru game in Wellington was a big highlight for me. White noise chanting 'we want Wood', as down our end the big fella was trying to prove to the AWs trainer his dodgy hammy was okay. Then coming on with 20 mins to play, and starting to make the Peruvians really doubt themselves. Them feeling the pressure of 36 years, and their great fans going a little quiet/anxious.  

Thomas's shot whistling past the post. Then being so exhausted that he skanked his cross into the box where Wood lay with just one defender and the keeper. A few 'if onlys'.

That's my memories anyway, the sort of top quality knife edge football that we so so seldom see live in NZ.

So thank fudge we get at least one chance to have a quality AWs game in NZ over 4 years!!  Hopefully all the guns are injury free and we avoid the CONEMBOL pot.

LG
Legend
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over 16 years

Bahrain, what a night, brilliant, Mexico wasn't bad but because we got hammered there first, it was a dead rubber. Peru was a good night too.

Legend
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almost 9 years

Main article: 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (inter-confederation play-offs)

There will be two inter-confederation playoffs to determine the final two qualification spots for the finals. They are scheduled to be played in March 2022.

The matchups will be decided at the preliminary draw to be held in July 2019.[1]

Marquee
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almost 17 years

About time we (if we qualify that is!) Square off against an Asian opponent

Legend
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almost 9 years

About time we (if we qualify that is!) Square off against an Asian opponent

Luck plays a huge part with whole process. 

Last time an Asian opponent would have been Australia, time before that Jordan!

Got unlucky with Mexico (usually top dog in CONCACAF) and lucky with Bahrain (often not even in the final AFC qualifying round).

WeeNix
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over 12 years

March 2022? That is extremely late in the piece.

Edit: oh nevermind, forgot this world cup was dumb.

Marquee
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almost 13 years

Former UEFA President Michel Platini was taken into custody as part of a corruption investigation over the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, French financial prosecutor's spokesperson says https://edition-m.cnn.com/2019/06/18/football/michel-platini-2022-world-cup-arrest-intl/index.html

First Team Squad
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over 6 years

Yakcall wrote:

Former UEFA President Michel Platini was taken into custody as part of a corruption investigation over the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, French financial prosecutor's spokesperson says https://edition-m.cnn.com/2019/06/18/football/michel-platini-2022-world-cup-arrest-intl/index.html

This is massive. Surely if its proven they can't go ahead with the world Cup in Qatar. Would be a massive fudge you to the sharkty Qatari elites and their abhorrent understandings of human rights. Fudge Platini, fudge Qatar. 
LG
Legend
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over 16 years

Big bulging brown envelopes everywhere. More currencey than in the US mint.

Starting XI
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almost 12 years

Yakcall wrote:

Former UEFA President Michel Platini was taken into custody as part of a corruption investigation over the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, French financial prosecutor's spokesperson says https://edition-m.cnn.com/2019/06/18/football/michel-platini-2022-world-cup-arrest-intl/index.html

This is massive. Surely if its proven they can't go ahead with the world Cup in Qatar. Would be a massive fudge you to the sharkty Qatari elites and their abhorrent understandings of human rights. Fudge Platini, fudge Qatar. 

Qatar have been preparing and building stadiums for eight years - there’s no way they’re not hosting it, regardless of what happens to Platini. It’s going to be tainted, but it’s going to happen. 

Phoenix Academy
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over 10 years

Fitzy wrote:

Yakcall wrote:

Former UEFA President Michel Platini was taken into custody as part of a corruption investigation over the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, French financial prosecutor's spokesperson says https://edition-m.cnn.com/2019/06/18/football/michel-platini-2022-world-cup-arrest-intl/index.html

This is massive. Surely if its proven they can't go ahead with the world Cup in Qatar. Would be a massive fudge you to the sharkty Qatari elites and their abhorrent understandings of human rights. Fudge Platini, fudge Qatar. 

Qatar have been preparing and building stadiums for eight years - there’s no way they’re not hosting it, regardless of what happens to Platini. It’s going to be tainted, but it’s going to happen. 

Yip, standard FIFA  defence. Happy to throw anyone under the bus and when someone points out the problem is widespread they just say "no it was that guy, everything we do is ok"

Marquee
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over 11 years

It can still be pulled - Fifa did just do that with the u17 tournament - so there is precedent, and the timing is a lot further away. Qatar's fault and waste of money.

Australia and NZ to host - part of a joint oceania and asia bid.

Starting XI
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almost 9 years

MetalLegNZ wrote:

It can still be pulled - Fifa did just do that with the u17 tournament - so there is precedent, and the timing is a lot further away. Qatar's fault and waste of money.

Australia and NZ to host - part of a joint oceania and asia bid.

yeah U17 & U20 alot easier to pull, as no one will build stadiums for them just use existing ones

FIFA will just do what they always do and say nothing to see here - remember they allowed Argentina 78 to go ahead when the country was being run by a military junta and many 1000's of people "disappeared" 

Starting XI
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almost 12 years

MetalLegNZ wrote:

It can still be pulled - Fifa did just do that with the u17 tournament - so there is precedent, and the timing is a lot further away. Qatar's fault and waste of money.

Australia and NZ to host - part of a joint oceania and asia bid.

Lol, pulling the U17s is not quite the same as pulling one of the largest events in the world. 

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