World Cup draw pots are finalized

[af102]

http://www.businessinsider.com/world-cup-pots-2013-12

Basically what was expected, except that Chile and Ecuador from Pot 2 can't be drawn into any of the South American Pot 1 team's groups.

Best case scenario- Switzerland, Ecuador, USA and Greece.
Worst case scenario- Brazil/Argentina, USA and 2 of Netherlands/Italy/Portugal

 

[Maroon Eagle]

The Pot X/Pot 2 concept is a bit new to me. What I had read was that the lowest ranked European side would be in Pot 2 automatically, which means any European country can be drawn to be in Pot 2 and that country has to be placed in a group with a South American seed.

 

[patdog]

No surprise. The USA gets screwed again. FIFA just arbitrarily decides that no CONCACAF teams can be drawn into the same group as an Asian team.

Edit: Got my pots and groups mixed up. Damn FIFA.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

FIFA, where zero common sense and favoritism go hand in hand. Some of their ideas they come up with make my head hurt.

 

[af102]

There is no way the "random draw" of the Pot 4 team in to pot 2 will be one of the traditional powers. Look for B&H, Greece, Croatia, or Russia to get kicked over into pot 2. FIFA's draws can never be taken at face value, and they'll do whatever they need to avoid placing traditional powers (aka the money teams) into the group of death.

The USA has a 50% chance of drawing a manageable 1 seed- Belgium, Switzerland, Columbia, and Uruguay (they're iffy, though). Brazil, Argentina, Spain, and Germany are automatic losses.

Pot 2 will have 3 or 4 teams we want to avoid- Chile, Ivory Coast, Ghana (PLEASE NOT AGAIN), and possibly a strong European team from pot 4 that gets bumped over.

Based on the odds, we should have a group where going 1-1-1 is expected.

 

[LiterallyPolice]

Is LT in charge of the World Cup draw as well?***

If we do end up being the 3rd best team in our group, I hope we play the best team early. It seems all teams are simply playing for a draw in their first game. Or maybe the magnitude of the World Cup levels the playing field early. I think playing England first and Algeria last in South Africa really worked to our advantage.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Here's a recently updated world cup draw simulator for anyone interested.

 

[Sutterkane]

Wow, the "random score" really is random. I simulated a group where Brazil tied Korea 0-0, lost to Croatia 5-0, and lost 3-0 to Cameroon. I will cut off my balls if that happens in Rio. I'll even sign the contract.

 

[KurtRambis4]

Blatter and FIFA

make LT look like the greatest AD ever.