England national team

[Rory]

My issue with a UK bid is having 3 extra countries auto qualify because they have one stadium in use. Doesn't really feel right for me.

Oh do the host nations automatically qualify?

The UK & Ireland would certainly have ROI's support then, as that's the only way they're likely to qualify for the foreseeable.

[Pat Mustard]

40,000 is the minimum requirement I think, you only need 50k+ for the quarter finals onwards. That said it does seem like 10 grounds would be needed now, which England could do - Leeds are already expanding to 53k, Forest should also go up to 40k+ before long, and both Milton Keynes and Brighton can be expanded to 40k relatively easily so in theory England would be able to host it alone. Politically though, any bid would almost certainly include Wales, Scotland and Ireland just like Euro 2028.

[PeterWithesShin]

Yep, Canada, Mexico and USA all qualified as hosts for this one.

[cdbearsfan]

My issue with a UK bid is having 3 extra countries auto qualify because they have one stadium in use. Doesn't really feel right for me.

Oh do the host nations automatically qualify?

The UK & Ireland would certainly have ROI's support then, as that's the only way they're likely to qualify for the foreseeable.

It's Britain and Ireland not the UK and Ireland. Northern Ireland opted out as lots of bigoted twats were angry that if they built a new stadium, Catholics might attend.

The remaining four hosts aren't guaranteed to qualify. There are, however, two reserved spots for the best two hosts not to qualify.

So if, for instance, England and Wales qualify automatically then Scotland and Ireland get host spots even if they lose every qualifying game. If only England qualify, the best two non-qualifiers qualify and so on. If that makes sense.

[Rory]

My issue with a UK bid is having 3 extra countries auto qualify because they have one stadium in use. Doesn't really feel right for me.

Oh do the host nations automatically qualify?

The UK & Ireland would certainly have ROI's support then, as that's the only way they're likely to qualify for the foreseeable.

It's Britain and Ireland not the UK and Ireland. Northern Ireland opted out as lots of bigoted twats were angry that if they built a new stadium, Catholics might attend.

The remaining four hosts aren't guaranteed to qualify. There are, however, two reserved spots for the best two hosts not to qualify.

So if, for instance, England and Wales qualify automatically then Scotland and Ireland get host spots even if they lose every qualifying game. If only England qualify, the best two non-qualifiers qualify and so on. If that makes sense.

Not right now, but it will tomorrow.

[PeterWithesShin]

I'd maybe co-host with west England as the Millenium Stadium is very good.

[Skipper_The_Eyechild]

I think with the Euros coming up we all have to qualify but there is a 2 team safety net if they fail through the normal means. Basically, at least 3 will be there, anyway. I'm definitely not a fan of them all being "top" seeds like in this World Cup.

Edit: serves me right to stop mid message, cd's already brought it up!

[cdbearsfan]

England should go for a World Cup and leave the Euros alone. Scotland, Wales and Ireland could co-host now that the latter seem to have withdrawn their objection to playing matches at GAA stadiums. Only one stadium each in Scotland, Wales and Ireland is pish.

Likewise, hosting one game each in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay for the centenary World Cup is shite, they should have got at least a group each.

[PeterWithesShin]

I'd limit it to a max of two official co-hosts. Even if a few games are held elsewhere. And if those other countries fail to qualify, tough.

[Rory]

I think with the Euros coming up we all have to qualify but there is a 2 team safety net if they fail through the normal means. Basically, at least 3 will be there, anyway. I'm definitely not a fan of them all being "top" seeds like in this World Cup.

Again, news to me.

The draws should either be random or seeded based on the rankings, in my opinion.

Edit: random, preferably. I'd love to see a group with Brazil, Portugal, USA & England, with none of this third-place qualification nonsense. I'd be onto a win/win.

[Skipper_The_Eyechild]

I think with the Euros coming up we all have to qualify but there is a 2 team safety net if they fail through the normal means. Basically, at least 3 will be there, anyway. I'm definitely not a fan of them all being "top" seeds like in this World Cup.

Again, news to me.

The draws should either be random or seeded based on the rankings, in my opinion.

Just look at the groups the host nations were in. Maybe it was why Scotland were shafted with two top 10 teams?

[Chris Harte]

Meanwhile, the game with Mexico will go ahead at 1am Monday (UK) as originally planned after FIFA back down.

[Rory]

I think with the Euros coming up we all have to qualify but there is a 2 team safety net if they fail through the normal means. Basically, at least 3 will be there, anyway. I'm definitely not a fan of them all being "top" seeds like in this World Cup.

Again, news to me.

The draws should either be random or seeded based on the rankings, in my opinion.

Just look at the groups the host nations were in. Maybe it was why Scotland were shafted with two top 10 teams?

I haven't looked at any of the groups, or draws, or anything else to be honest. I've seen maybe three hours of football the whole time.

International football is little more than a pain in the arse, for me.

Nothing on the news, internet or television without some fucking mention of England; every twat I know who knows fuck all about football suddenly enjoying the bastard pageantry.

I'd be happy to live on the moon for the duration of every international tournament.

[Skipper_The_Eyechild]

I've pretty comfortably managed to avoid everything apart from the actual games (I skipped most group games). I can't say I feel bombarded by it all or anything and I'm usually very quick to being a misery arse (I respect it, though, I need to up my game!). I am a hermit, though.

[PeterWithesShin]

Is that you Herman?