So now getting to Qatar needs to be more shades of Singapore January 1982, rather than Manama/Wellington October/November 2009.
To me the only place that would offer a true 'neutral' venue for the 4 different Confed playoff teams would be somewhere in Europe. Everywhere else would be to some advantage for one of the 4 teams, re unequal crowd support. Playing in Europe in June is also not too bad, heat wise for the players. Large immigrant/expat city London to me a logical spot. Would get good crowds, with real novelty value for the Pommie football tragic. Maybe even worth taking them to Wembley. That's if UK Govt had no border restriction issues, for international teams. Best Kiwi support for sure outside NZ.
And yes sadly bringing the AWs down to NZ for a warmup game, early June 2022 then back up the NH for the playoff June 13th/14th, wouldn't be fair on the players. Ideal scenario beat Japan (5th AFC team) in the playoff, then a H&A series against Australia enroute to Qatar. Or some may prefer vice versa. But I never get the hate on the Socceroos.
AV's updated article.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/127049666/boost-for-all-whites-blow-for-kiwi-fans-as-fifa-changes-world-cup-playoff-format
Since Australia left Oceania for Asia in 2006, the All Whites have made it to the intercontinental playoffs every time, beating Bahrain in 2009 to make it to the 2010 World Cup, but losing to Mexico in 2013 and Peru in 2017, while playing in front of large home crowds at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.
To me the only place that would offer a true 'neutral' venue for the 4 different Confed playoff teams would be somewhere in Europe. Everywhere else would be to some advantage for one of the 4 teams, re unequal crowd support. Playing in Europe in June is also not too bad, heat wise for the players. Large immigrant/expat city London to me a logical spot. Would get good crowds, with real novelty value for the Pommie football tragic. Maybe even worth taking them to Wembley. That's if UK Govt had no border restriction issues, for international teams. Best Kiwi support for sure outside NZ.
And yes sadly bringing the AWs down to NZ for a warmup game, early June 2022 then back up the NH for the playoff June 13th/14th, wouldn't be fair on the players. Ideal scenario beat Japan (5th AFC team) in the playoff, then a H&A series against Australia enroute to Qatar. Or some may prefer vice versa. But I never get the hate on the Socceroos.
AV's updated article.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/127049666/boost-for-all-whites-blow-for-kiwi-fans-as-fifa-changes-world-cup-playoff-format
Since Australia left Oceania for Asia in 2006, the All Whites have made it to the intercontinental playoffs every time, beating Bahrain in 2009 to make it to the 2010 World Cup, but losing to Mexico in 2013 and Peru in 2017, while playing in front of large home crowds at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.
Pragnell said missing out chance to potentially host a fourth match of that stature was a massive blow, especially as the home-and-away playoffs won’t return ahead of the 2026 event, where the top Oceania team will qualify directly.
“There's no getting away from that. Those intercontinental playoff games have been dramatic. They've been some of the greatest sporting moments in New Zealand sporting history, I would say. There's massive disappointment all around on that front.”
Another blow would be the potential loss of revenue from selling the broadcast rights for the home leg of a playoff, but Pragnell said it was too soon to say what the impact would be, as the participating teams could still receive some income in that regard.
Pragnell also said NZ Football would have a keen interest in how the neutral venues were decided. Controversial World Cup hosts Qatar have been mooted as a potential host, but temperatures in the Middle East in June would be inhospitable – hence why the tournament itself has been moved from then to next November and December.
As for the chances of bringing the All Whites home for the first time since November 2017 – a prospect that has grown all the more exciting after their wins over Curaçao, Bahrain, and The Gambia in recent months?
As for the chances of bringing the All Whites home for the first time since November 2017 – a prospect that has grown all the more exciting after their wins over Curaçao, Bahrain, and The Gambia in recent months?
One benefit of the change to the playoff format is that there will definitely be a chance for the Oceania qualifier to play warm-up fixtures ahead of the must-win match in early June. But with that playoff likely to take place in the northern hemisphere, travelling to New Zealand first might be a bridge too far should the All Whites make it.
Pragnell said that if the All Whites were to qualify for the World Cup, a send-off fixture in September would be something they would pursue with serious intent.
“If we're en route to the World Cup, the idea of playing a home-and-away series, with a game in New Zealand, would be brilliant. If we've qualified, that's something that's going to be hugely appealing to New Zealand football fans and New Zealand sports fans in general.
“We've already sort of turned our mind in that direction and begun thinking about that as well.”
