Hello, my friends.
How’s it been a month already? Hell, it’s been even longer than that since we bantered about footy. Shame on me.
Some lame excuses follow:
I actually got really, really busy when the large, global advertising agency holding company I work for began building a brewery in the Metavese for the largest brewery in Europe.
I actually got really, really busy trying to figure out (and this part might not make any fucking sense) how to do more work like that.
I didn’t want to jinx anything footy related.
But you know what? I didn’t. The United States’ Mens National Team qualified for their first World Cup ever. This century. This Pandemic.
And now, the draw.
The Draw
(April 1, noon Eastern - FS1)
A refresher, in case you haven’t given a shit about this in 8 years:
Thirty two teams. Go into 4 pots.
Pot 1 is Qatar (as hosts) and the 7 highest ranked, qualified teams from today’s FIFA rankings. (ha!ha! Italy!)
Pot 1: Qatar, Brazil, Belgium, France, Argentina, England, Spain, Portugal
Pot 2 is the next 8 highest ranked teams that qualified.
Pot 2: Mexico, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Uruguay, Switzerland, United States, Croatia
Pot 3 is the 8 next highest teams that qualified.
Pot 3: Senegal, Iran, Japan, Morocco, Serbia, Poland, South Korea, Tunisia
Pot 4 is the 5 next highest ranked teams that qualified plus the 3 winners of the remaining playoff games.
Pot 4: Cameroon, Canada, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, European playoff winner (Wales versus the winner of Scotland and Ukraine), South America (Peru) - Asia (The UAE and Australia) playoff winner, North/Central America (Costa Rica) - Oceania playoff winner (New Zealand)
So the groups are formed by drawing one team from each pot. And no two teams from the same confederation can get drawn into the same group. Except Europe. Five groups will have 2 European teams.
So, what do we want?
Ideally, we want to be in Qatar’s group. Then I guess you’d want Tunisia, and then for New Zealand to win out? I guess.
Another school of thought: I want Brazil, Serbia and Saudi Arabia. Just finish second, advance and be assured you can’t get Brazil in the second round.
But, honestly, looking at it. I’m fine with any draw that isn’t something like Senegal at 3 and Wales, Peru or Costa Rica at 4.
My group of Death dream? Brazil, Mexico, Senegal, Wales.
But I welcome your thoughts in the comments. As always, we’re going to win this World Cup.
This week in the Premier League
Saturday
7:30
Liverpool - Watford (USA - Universo)
10:00
Brighton - Norwich (Peacock)
Burnley - Man City (Peacock)
Chelsea - Brentford (USA)
Leeds - Southampton (Peacock)
Wolves - Aston Villa (CNBC - Universo)
12:30
Man U - Leicester (USA - Universo)
Sunday
9:00
West Ham - Everton (Telemundo - USA)
Spurs - Newcastle (Telemundo - USA)
Monday
3:00
Crystal Palace - Arsenal (USA - Universo)
OK, it’s late and I got an 8 am meeting with Spain. Take care of yourself, and each other.
-Colby
Thanks for the Italian haha up there. I guess I don't have to split my allegiances between the US and Italy this go-round.
Why would you want Senegal to be in a group of death situation?