The future of World Cup/Euro Qualifying: Suggestion

[ecc]

I think most fans in the "bigger" football countries ("bigger" meaning countries with a larger population and/or high FIFA ranking) are pretty fed up with international breaks that see their national team play "small" countries where the outcome is certain.

With all due respect to the good people of Andorra, Gibraltar, San Marino and so on I really cannot see why UEFA/FIFA have decided to include them in qualifying for their tournaments.

But they have and they cannot turn round and strip them off that right.

I think the way forward is to take the idea of the Nations League ie groups based on UEFA rankings and strengthen the make-up of the qualifying groups.

The lower-ranking countries could take part in a preliminary round or simply use the Nations League matches as a qualifying round.

I think this will come as we know clubs don't like releasing their players for international duty and I can understand their point to a certain extent when England are playing pretty pointless matches such as the two against Andorra. I know England didn't hammer them but I really don't think the players approach these matches as they do when facing more competitive nations.

There would be more interest if England weren't certain of qualifying every time. More competitive matches would also be of more use to the players for the final phase.

Just my opinion.

[TheFamilyCat]

The lesser nations playing each other more frequently, rather than just turning up and parking the bus against the likes of England will be better for their development too.

[bfcmik]

How would the best teams knocking each out be good for the world cup?

And clubs have always moaned about releasing players for internationals.

[yTib]

england vs andorra is for the tourists.

i'd rather go to benidorm.

[ecc]

How would the best teams knocking each out be good for the world cup?

And clubs have always moaned about releasing players for internationals.

I'm not saying having a group such as England, Spain, France and Portugal.

What I am saying is to have, for example:

England, Portugal, Croatia, Georgia and Iceland. And if they insist on a sixth country that could be, I don't know, Moldavia.

[dvalley69]

I'm not saying having a group such as England, Spain, France and Portugal.

What I am saying is to have, for example:

England, Portugal, Croatia, Georgia and Iceland. And if they insist on a sixth country that could be, I don't know, Moldavia.

The whole system has been designed to make sure all the "big" nations are at the WC; this is purely for commercial reasons. It would be a disaster if, for example, Georgia had a mega campaign and somehow Portugal didn't get to a WC from a commercial POV. This is exactly what FIFA/UEFA is trying to avoid. Unfortunately, let's face facts, the only consideration for those running the game is this, not competiveness.