The Football.....

[bluenotebob]

makes it impossible for the big countries not to qualify.

Well, Sweden haven't qualified and Italy haven't guaranteed their place yet.

I guess it depends on what you mean by "big countries".

I've enjoyed watching Tuchel's England (apart from the friendly against Senegal). There's something about the current England team that I've never seen before - perhaps it's the lack of some big names or, to use Stevie Gerrard's phrase, "egotistical losers".

Shame there are only two more WC qualifiers to come before friendly matches/the actual tournament.

 

[Alex321]

Well, Sweden haven't qualified and Italy haven't guaranteed their place yet.

I guess it depends on what you mean by "big countries".

I don't think most people would class Sweden as a "Big Country", but Italy certainly are.

In Europe, I think only France, Germany, Spain, Italy, England, are really what would be classed by most as "big" countries.

Shame there are only two more WC qualifiers to come before friendly matches/the actual tournament.

Wales will almost certainly have playoffs as well, after losing to Belgium.

 

[spen666]

England are the first UEFA team qualified for World Cup.
They managed to narrowly escape their group of death. With teams like Andorra Latvia Serbia and Albania
Having 12 qualifying groups and 16 spaces almost makes it impossible for the big countries not to qualify.
The first World Cup I remember was Spain 82 which had 24 teams. They now have 48, so double the size! It’s too big.