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VTHokie2000
Joined: 01/01/2005
Posts: 41,416
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The top 4 teams will likely change between now and 2030, so I was

considering the possibility that Brasil, Portugal, or someone else end up in the Top 4. At least I think there are potential scenarios where France and/or Spain could still win their group and not end up in the Top 4. Plus, I was factoring in the reality that when it comes to the upper vs. lower bracket and even at the sub-bracket level, that not everyone will have the same level of difficulty getting to the Semi-Finals because of how the groups feed into the bracket. If FIFA expands to 64, then it likely means the end of the Group of Death. Unless a country pulls an Italy and is forced to qualify via a playoff round. Then I think those countries would have to go into the pot typically reserved for the 3rd or 4th slots in the group stage. So any "Group of Death" would be something like England, Switzerland, Cameroon, and whomever. Switzerland and Cameroon happened to be ranked in the Top 20 or Top 30 in the final FIFA Rankings prior to the World Cup. If FIFA eliminates the random draw and goes to seeding the group stage, then it will mean in the end of the Group of Death. Also, it could mean FIFA has more control over how the bracket looks going into the Round of 32.
Posted: 07/21/2026 at 05:16 PM ET
(In response to this post by Nova Hokie 95)

Thread Replies (7)

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Messi and Co. lost the WC championship
Snape 07/20/26 10:59 AM ET
They will take a step back. 2034 for Argentina
Hate2SeeItEnd Hokie 07/20/26 12:59 PM ET
Uhhh
Nova Hokie 95 07/20/26 11:38 AM ET
Of course they will qualify. He's referring to chances of winning it
Hate2SeeItEnd Hokie 07/20/26 06:35 PM ET
I mean as a serious favorite to take the cup.
Snape 07/20/26 04:22 PM ET
The wild cards that you may not be factoring in are how the groups look and
VTHokie2000 07/21/26 09:11 AM ET
Don't forget -- FIFA changed the set up the draw this year
Nova Hokie 95 07/21/26 10:23 AM ET
The top 4 teams will likely change between now and 2030, so I was
VTHokie2000 07/21/26 05:16 PM ET