The road to the World Cup Brazil 2014

What's the point of this? Why not a totally random draw?

To ensure "random" doesn't give you a couple of groups like "Group A: Argentina, Brazil, Spain, German" which would mean 2 of those teams would get eliminated, and they are the teams all people would like to see on the head-to-head closing stages. Also it mixes regions up, as you could get a random group of all-european teams which would not make it very "world"-cup..

Basically, makes the group stage more interesting.
 
No, basically, it ensures the big teams are not eliminated early, because TV ratings.

Uh... no? 2010, France, Italy (defending champions), Denmark out in groups... In 2002, France (defending champions), Portugal (the 'golden generation' of Figo, Rui Costa and others), Argentina, out on groups.

It's never a sure thing even if you put a strong team with three "weaker ones", and on the other hand, yes it makes the knockout stage more interesting. What if you grouped 12 of the best teams into 3 groups, ensuring 6 of them will be eliminated? That'd make for a boring knock out stage where the 6 that went through facing quite weaker sides, only meeting again at the semifinals and finals.
 
Well, maybe or maybe not.
I only posted up the (alledged) likely groupings for the draw, for discussion.

We shall find out on Friday who will be playing who, etc. Live on TV!

:smile:
 
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