Soccer Discussion: 1.67% Chance of Being the Best Thread on the NWR Forums

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NWR_insanolord:
2026 is the first year of the expanded format, and between that and their general improvement I fully expect Canada to be in that World Cup, host or not. They were nearly one of the top 6 in CONCACAF this time around and they're only getting better.

rygar:
It would be nice to see, but I think having the backdoor route is a good safety net for CONCACAF. The confederation as a whole is improving, so the only two teams I fully expect to qualify are Mexico and the US. I would be surprised if Costa Rica didn't. I would definitely put Canada amongst the strong contenders for the last three, but it's definitely not a sure thing from my perspective with so many competive teams in the middle band of the confederation.

rygar:

--- Quote from: NWR_insanolord on January 11, 2017, 07:51:29 PM ---There are rumors of Caribbean nations wanting to break off into their own confederation...
--- End quote ---

These rumors already seemed ridiculous to me, but the WC expansion and this news should eliminate even the rumors: http://reut.rs/2nkMWtz

CONCACAF is on the verge of following UEFA's move in eliminating most international friendlies and replacing them with a intraconfederational league. This is a massive boon to the development of Caribbean soccer and a very meaningful geasture by Mexico and US. Although I have some minor concern that the US is losing its own developmental games against global heavyweights, the truth is those will be harder to get after UEFA adopts the league format anyway. Otherwise I'm very hopeful this move will stoke interest for me as a fan. This is also more evidence suggesting that the off-year Copa changes are coming. I'm really liking the direction the international cycles look to be taking.

NWR_insanolord:
There was talk at one point of a Nations League-style competition that would have combined North and South America, which I'd have liked a lot more than this proposed CONCACAF-only one, but it's intriguing nonetheless.

rygar:
I'm guessing both the combined leagues and combined Copa weren't mutually feasible, and I think if those were the two options, I like this route much better for CONCACAF as a whole. It is probably in the long term interestes of US soccer too, since it will invariably improve the overall quality of the confederation.

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