Prediction of 32 teams competing in WC2002 Japan/Korea

[Sydneyfan]

I've made a list of the 32 countries I predict to make the World Cup Finals in Japan and South Korea next year. The countries with an asterisk (*) followed have already officially made the tournament.

Japan* (co-host)
South Korea* (co-host)
France* (WC1998 winner)
CAF :
Cameroon*
Tunisia*
South Africa*
Nigeria
Egypt
AFC :
Iran
China
CONCACAF :
Costa Rica
USA
Mexico
CONMEBOL :
Argentina (definitely through)
Paraguay
Ecuador
Brazil (probably outlast Uruguay & Colombia to take fourth South American spot)
OFC :
Australia (beat Uruguay in OFC/5th from CONMEBOL playoff)
UEFA :
Russia
Portugal
Denmark
Sweden
Poland
Belgium
Spain
Italy
Germany
It was difficult to predict the next 4 or 5 UEFA countries to qualify for WC2002 since the runners up in each UEFA Group are assigned against each other in a random drawn playoff series. I picked the 5 strongest remaining UEFA countires to go through to WC2002, the fifth remaining UEFA country will beat the third best AFC country in a playoff series.
Holland
England
Turkey
Czech Republic
Scotland (probably not, but I like Scotland!)

Unlucky countries :
Ireland (Portugal & Holland nudge past them in UEFA Group 2)
Bulgaria (Denmark & Czech Rep. beat them off in UEFA Group3)
Croatia (the Scots nudge them out in UEFA Group 6)
Saudi Arabia (lose to UEFA country in UEFA/AFC playoff)
Slovenia, Ukraine, Austria & Romania (UEFA playoff losers)
Honduras & Jamaica (close but no cigar)
Iraq & United Arab Emirates (decent teams but don't make it)
Ivory Coast (second in CAF Group D)
Senegal & Morocco (Egypt nudge them out in CAF Group C)
Liberia (Nigeria pip them out in CAF Group B)
Uruguay (beaten by Australia, I'm optimistic! )
Colombia (sixth best South Americans)

It'll be interesting to see how many of these countries actually go through!

 

[Sydneyfan]

One mistake already!

One of my predictions has already gone sour, Senegal have reached the World Cup Finals edging out more favoured Group opponents, Morocco and Egypt.

 

[Blues2001]

Interesting that you have both Holland and Portugal in there.

As their group stands right now, its tough to see both of them pushing past Ireland.

Ireland will need only a draw at home against Holland finish ahead of them, assuming that they beat Cyprus at home.

If Ireland miss out they'll be damn unlucky, as they have had a similarly tough draw as they had for Euro 2000 (Yugoslavia and Croatia).

They are clearly the second best side from the British Isles, and before Ericsson came to England's rescue they were probably the best performed since England qualified for WC 98'.

 

[OutKast]

Agreed Blues2001, Rep. of Ireland really should qualify now, the hard work has been done getting results in Holland and Portugal, now all they gotta do is perform at home. If they finish second as well as England though, you can bet your money on those two drawing each other in the playoffs, a la England-Scotland for Euro2000...

 

[Sydneyfan]

It's a shame that at least one (possibly 2) of the teams: Ireland, Portugal and Holland will miss out on the World Cup, judging by their performances, with the possible exception of Holland who have probably been underachieving a bit, they should all make the World Cup.
I must admit I only really scanned over the UEFA tables and upcoming fixtures and I didn't realise that Ireland's position was looking so promising. I picked Holland and Portugal, because I've heard a lot of good things about Portugal and because Holland have always been a competitive football nation.
Looks like there's a big chance than Holland will miss the World Cup which won't make Dutch football fans happy.
BTW Does anyone know whats happened to Norway? When I looked over the UEFA tables they were second last in their group only a few years they were ranked highly in FIFA's ranking and in the World Cup now it looks like they've got to the sh*thouse!

 

[GOALden Hawk]

Excuse my ignorance but Senegal???? What players does this country have? If they can make the World Cup is it is a complete disgrace that we aren't there.

Where are they ranked currently?

As for Ireland, my beloved 2nd team, I hope they do make it, they would have earned it!

 

[OutKast]

Senegal are ranked 70th in the world!!
They've beaten Benin 2-1 on agg., and had wins over Namibia, Algeria and Morocco in group qualifying, losing only one match to Egypt.

As for recognisable players, there isn't any...they have a striker
El Hadji Ousseynou Diouf playing for Lens in France and his goals got them there.

 

[GOALden Hawk]

Just thought I'd put this back up to the top - give 21 countries have now qualified for the World Cup.

Holders: France
Co-hosts: Japan
South Korea
Europe: Poland
Sweden
Spain
Russia
England
Croatia
Portugal
Denmark
Italy

South America: Argentina

Africa: Cameroon
Nigeria
Senegal
Tunisia
South Africa

CONCACAF: Costa Rica
United States

Asia: China

I'll post again with the other likely finalists once I find the draws and stuff.

 

[GOALden Hawk]

With 11 spots still up for grabs here are the other likely finalists (according to me, so none of it will probably happen!)

EUROPE
Belgium v Czech Republic - very tough one this one, I'll lean towards the Czechs.

Ukraine v Germany- It will be a tough game in Kiev for the Germans, but they should make it.

Austria or Isreal v Turkey - I think Austria will knock Israel out but will not be good enough to defeat Turkey, who are very hard to beat at home.

Slovenia v Romania - Hardly a blockbuster this one, Slovenia continue to surprise and I reckon they are a very good chance.

Ireland v 3rd place AFC - Still hard to tell who the 3rd placed AFC team will be, but there is a good chance it will be Iran! Ireland deserve to be there, it would be very unfair if they missed out and they will make it!

ASIA
China are through, UAE are one point ahead of Qatar in 3rd.

In the other group Saudi Arabia are on 14 and Iran on 12 - looks likely Saudis will directly qualify and the Iranians will lose to Ireland (HAHA!)

NORTH AMERICA
All comes down to one game - Honduras v Mexico. It's in Mexico so I'll favour them, but I think a draw will be enough for Honduras.

SOUTH AMERICA.
Paraguay are on 30 points, will qualify, as should Ecuador on 29. Brazil are on 27 and still to play Venezuela, they should make it. Uruguay look almost certainites to play us now - they are 4 points ahead of Colombia, and play Ecuador next round, a match they are unlikely to win. Uruguay is the best result for us - tough match still but Australia CAN win, and I hope they do.

 

[OutKast]

Originally posted by GOALden Hawk

NORTH AMERICA
All comes down to one game - Honduras v Mexico. It's in Mexico so I'll favour them, but I think a draw will be enough for Honduras.

Nope Mexico have the superior goal difference, so it will take an away win for Honduras to make the World Cup. Very costly losing 1-0 at home to the bottom team Trinidad&Tobago when a win would have sent them to the Finals.

 

[CURVE]

Why are we worrying about the other 31 teams, France has their hands on the cup already.

 

[OutKast]

Originally posted by DEVO
Why are we worrying about the other 31 teams, France has their hands on the cup already.

Of course they do, they won it in '98

The fact that they will relinquish it come Japan/Korea 2002 is what has us talking...

 

[CURVE]

Originally posted by OutKast


Of course they do, they won it in '98

The fact that they will relinquish it come Japan/Korea 2002 is what has us talking...

You can't be serious, who is going to beat them??

England - No chance, they can't even beat Greece. Beckham will be made to look second class when/if the Poms face France. Zidane has it all over him in every department.

Italy - Defensively they are solid, but the best defenses have looked inadequate when facing Henry, Wiltord and Zidane.

Argentina - Do not have the defensive capabilities to hold France.

Australia - I'll be going for them in November, but even a second tier France will beat them by three.

Spain - Get stage fright whenever the stage is bigger than qualifiers. May get to the quarters but no further.

France just won the Under 17's World Cup, so their future success is looking very good, and some of these youngster are so good that clubs like Liverpool have already signed them up.

My Prediction

Japan/Sth Korea 2002
Champion - France
Runners Up - Argentina

Germany 2006
Champion - France
Runners Up - Germany or England

VIVA LA FRANCE

 

[OutKast]

Originally posted by DEVO

Australia - I'll be going for them in November, but even a second tier France will beat them by three.

A second tier France lost to an understrength Australia 1-0.
Of course France are the best in the world, but saying they have the trophy wrapped up already is a bit much. They are beatable, in my opinion they will at least make the semis, but i'm not sure yet that they have the trophy 'in the bag'. On their day an Argentina, Italy, England (1-1 last meeting in the Keegan era) or Brazil are still capable of beating them, i think they don't quite yet have that aura of invinciblity associated with some of the great teams of the past. That's just my opinion mate.

 

[CURVE]

Originally posted by OutKast


A second tier France lost to an understrength Australia 1-0.
Of course France are the best in the world, but saying they have the trophy wrapped up already is a bit much. They are beatable, in my opinion they will at least make the semis, but i'm not sure yet that they have the trophy 'in the bag'. On their day an Argentina, Italy, England (1-1 last meeting in the Keegan era) or Brazil are still capable of beating them, i think they don't quite yet have that aura of invinciblity associated with some of the great teams of the past. That's just my opinion mate.

France took their second and third tier teams to the Japan/South Korea, and Australia played the third side, and got away with a lucky win.

As for France's chances in the World Cup, they have the greatest depth of any Nation, even Brazil, Argentina and Spain can't match them. They have seven or eight players who can't get a regular spot in the starting side, who would be certs in just about every other National side. They have up and comers like Wiltord who are going to take the world by storm in the next few years, and thankfully for us because most of them play in the Premier League, we get to see them each week.

France - World Cup Champions in 2002, and doing it easy.

 

[Chris_23]

Originally posted by DEVO

Italy - but the best defenses have looked inadequate when facing Henry, Wiltord and Zidane.

Ahhh, but Italy have the best defence. Italy's defence is probably even better now than it was last year in Euro 2000. Cannavaro, Nesta and Maldini will certainly be no push-overs. I'm not sure who they will choose if they go for a back 4. Italy's attack is far more potent now than it was in Euro 2000. Christian Vieri is back, Del Piero (even though i loathe him) is in super form, Totti, Inzaghi, Montella. Of course there may be a slight chance that if the little master can keep up his form he may even be a chance for one last tilt at a WC.... FORZA #10 ROBERTO BAGGIO!

Originally posted by DEVO

France took their second and third tier teams to the Japan/South Korea, and Australia played the third side, and got away with a lucky win.

Australia didn't exactly have there best side in either. There were at least 4 first team players out for the Aussies.