160+ is exaggerated. Truly we are not 106 as nations like Korea DPR (110) , Tajikistan(114) , Thailand(117) , Philippines(127) & Turkmenistan(131) are stronger than us irrespective of their inferior ranking. Haven't included Kuwait(142) as they are suspended for sometime.
But somewhere b/w 130 to 140 as we are better than Myanmar (145), Hong Kong (148), Afghanistan (152), Maldives (156) & Chinese Taipei(158).
160+ is exaggerated. Truly we are not 106 as nations like Korea DPR (110) , Tajikistan(114) , Thailand(117) , Philippines(127) & Turkmenistan(131) are stronger than us irrespective of their inferior ranking. Haven't included Kuwait(142) as they are suspended for sometime.
But somewhere b/w 130 to 140 as we are better than Myanmar (145), Hong Kong (148), Afghanistan (152), Maldives (156) & Chinese Taipei(158).
Is India better than Afghanistan ? Doesnt seem so considering that the result of both away and home legs of the last WCQ against Afghanistan was a Draw.
There has been a lot of criticism about the expansion of FIFA WC to 48 teams. Critics mention that as it is half the teams in the 32 teams Competition are dead weights ( from winning the tournament POV ) then adding more 16 teams into the mix will lower the quality of the tournament even further and would result in many one-sided matches. Then there's also a question of sustaining interest in the tournament with the number of matches played reaching 80.
It will be a great opportunity for Nations that usually struggle to be part of the WC but at the cost of further diluting the quality of the tournament.
Teams like Italy , Sweden, Netherlands missing the ticket to WC while the likes of Honduras, Costa Rica, Morocco qualifying is not indicative of a higher Number of quality sides in the World. Infact, Quality of the Tournament is compromised to diversify the participating Nations by allowing qualification to average sides.
Many of the group stage matches of the World Cup are already snoozefests due to a lack of quality. At the risk of sounding elitist, I would say that 32 teams is already more than enough. 16 at the Asian Cup is enough too, but I like how the 24-team format has provided more qualification matches and competitive game time for the developing nations.
160+ is exaggerated. Truly we are not 106 ......... But somewhere b/w 130 to 140 as we are better than Myanmar (145), Hong Kong (148), Afghanistan (152) ...........
Is India better than Afghanistan ? Doesnt seem so considering that the result of both away and home legs of the last WCQ against Afghanistan was a Draw.
We can't decide based on 1 home game and points scored. If we go by that logic, we played 2 away games against Qatar and just conceding 1 goal, that too played with 10 men for more than 70 mins. Is India equal or at-least comparable with Qatar ? We have to check overall performance. Please refer below qualifiers screenshot. Points wise, we are more or less same to Afghanistan despite finishing above them, but see the GD & GC.
Many of the group stage matches of the World Cup are already snoozefests due to a lack of quality. At the risk of sounding elitist, I would say that 32 teams is already more than enough. 16 at the Asian Cup is enough too, but I like how the 24-team format has provided more qualification matches and competitive game time for the developing nations.
Not sure which World Cup you are referring. I have watched 20+ group matches in 2018 edition and never felt like one-sided/boring games baring 1 or 2 group matches.
Maybe you are referring games like Russia vs Saudi Arabia(5–0) & England vs Panama (6–1) .
But I have watched Russia vs Saudi game, most of the Saudi players played their 1 world cup game and felt lot of pressure through-out the game and conceded 2 goals in dying minutes. But they coped well after that initial game and had good game against Uruguay & excellent game against Egypt. Even Panama unfortunate to concede 2 soft penalties , 1 deflection goal & 1 great effort by Lingard.
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But somewhere b/w 130 to 140 as we are better than Myanmar (145), Hong Kong (148), Afghanistan (152), Maldives (156) & Chinese Taipei(158).
It will be a great opportunity for Nations that usually struggle to be part of the WC but at the cost of further diluting the quality of the tournament.
Teams like Italy , Sweden, Netherlands missing the ticket to WC while the likes of Honduras, Costa Rica, Morocco qualifying is not indicative of a higher Number of quality sides in the World. Infact, Quality of the Tournament is compromised to diversify the participating Nations by allowing qualification to average sides.
Maybe you are referring games like Russia vs Saudi Arabia (5–0) & England vs Panama (6–1) .
But I have watched Russia vs Saudi game, most of the Saudi players played their 1 world cup game and felt lot of pressure through-out the game and conceded 2 goals in dying minutes. But they coped well after that initial game and had good game against Uruguay & excellent game against Egypt.
Even Panama unfortunate to concede 2 soft penalties , 1 deflection goal & 1 great effort by Lingard.
AFC vs CONMEBOL
CONCACAF VS OFC
Matches will be played as one-off matches at a neutral ground (Switzerland or Qatar, according to several media)
Also, either Italy or Portugal, or even both may not make it to the World Cup!