FIFA Announce New World Cup Format Which Could See Incredible 'Group of Death' at Russia 2018

With international football returning to our screens during the long summer months in 2018, FIFA have decided to change the system they use to determine what countries are drawn up against each other in the group stages of the World Cup, according to the ​Sun.

Previously, the host nation would be joined by the highest ranking teams in pot 1. The remaining pots would then be decided based on geographical location, however, FIFA have decided that they will now use the rankings to determine which teams belong in which pot.

View image on Twitter

 Follow

Squawka Football 

✔@Squawka

Replying to @Squawka

Sergio Agüero at the 2007 U20 World Cup:

Winners 
Golden Ball 
Golden Shoe 

2:46 PM - Sep 14, 2017

•  66 Replies
 
•  9090 Retweets
 
•  198198 likes

Twitter Ads info and privacy

This change in system means the possibility of a 'group of death', a phrase we often hear in the Champions League, is very real. As things stand, reigning champions Germany will be placed in pot one along with a host of other nations, including Brazil and Argentina. 

Winners of the World Cup in 2010, thanks to a late Andrés Iniesta strike that saw off the Netherlands, Spain are likely to be placed in pot number two. Hot favourites to win Euro 2016 last summer, France, join Spain in pot two and the mouthwatering prospect of exciting group stage matches at the 2018 World Cup is looking like a reality.

In pot three, with the the possibility of facing Spain and Germany in the group stages, sits the winners of the World Cup in 2006 - the Azzurri.

When Marco Materazzi conceded an early penalty in Berlin, Zinedine Zidane stepped up for France and Italy went 1-0 behind. Just 12 minutes later, the former Inter Milan defender levelled the score and the World Cup final was set to be decided on penalties.

French striker David Trezeguet was the only man not able to convert his spot kick, allowing Fabio Grosso, the man who's goal book Italy's place in the Wolrd Cup final, to claim victory at the Olympiastadion.

As things stand, we could potentially be in for a number of heavyweight clashes in the group stages of the competition next summer, with the draw for the competition going ahead on December 1.

Man City Captain Vincent Kompany Set to Miss Showdown With Liverpool After Knock on Belgium Duty

Pep Guardiola confirmed that captain Vincent Kompany will not play for Manchester City against Liverpool on Saturday due to a calf injury picked up whilst playing for Belgium.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Guardiola spoke of his disappointment at his skipper being unable to feature, following his sustained long-term battle to maintain his fitness.

"He played with Belgium against Gibraltar", said Guardiola. "They won 9-0. He had a little problem in his calf. I think he will not be able for tomorrow.

"His absence will be short. The next time he will be able to play. I'm sad. I would like him to be fit.

"He made a huge effort, our physios worked a lot to take care of him, so the last seven, eight, nine games of the season he played without a problem for 90 minutes. Now was the period of three games a week and unfortunately we lose him. We will try to recover as soon as possible."

Despite Guardiola's willingness to bring in another centre-back, another player was not brought in during the latter weeks of the transfer window. Nevertheless, the ex-Bayern Munich and Barcelona manager was confident his squad would manage without their captain.

"The window is over. With Vincent or without Vincent, we thought maybe we need another one. But we have [Eliaquim] Mangala, we have Tosin [Adarabioyo] and of course there are other options and other players that can play in that position."

Jamie Vardy Claims Footballers Need 'Banter' to Get Through the Day After Alli Middle Finger Scandal

Jamie Vardy has jumped to the defence of England teammate Dele Alli, insisting the Spurs star's much-publicised middle finger gesture during the win over Slovakia was 'harmless' and does not require any retrospective punishment.

The Spurs midfielder was caught on camera using a middle finger gesture during the England victory on Monday night.

He has since claimed that it was a joke between himself and my friend Kyle Walker, and now Vardy has backed his international teammate.

Dele Alli clearly enjoying his evening... #ENGSVK pic.twitter.com/U2A8vB3sGV

— Ollie Turner (@OllieMattTurner) September 4, 2017

“The middle finger? Come on, it’s harmless,” Vardy said, quoted by ​the Leicester Mercury. “It’s just something that has been blown out of proportion. He was doing it to Walks.

 It’s just harmless banter and has been blown way out of proportion. They’re always having a laugh and a giggle. That’s just how they are.

“They were team-mates for a few years. They’re going to like to mess around, especially now that Walks has moved on himself.

“It would definitely be harsh [if he got banned]. If he is getting reprimanded for that, then we might as well take emotion and enjoyment out of the game.

“Everyone has got to have a bit of banter, otherwise I don’t think you would get through the day of being a footballer.”

FIFA have claimed that a decision will be made on whether to open any disciplinary proceedings after match reports from officials have been received, expected to be the end of the week.

Chile Midfielder Arturo Vidal Announces International Retirement Following Back-to-Back Defeats

Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal has announced that he will retire from international football following the end of the World Cup campaign.

La Roja suffered two successive defeats in their most recent outings, losing 3-0 against Paraguay and then 1-0 at altitude in Bolivia.

And Vidal took to Instagram following the disappointing results to confirm that he will bring to an end his international career after Chile's World Cup campaign.

"Sorry Chile for these two losses!" the 30-year-old wrote. "We put everything in the field but we couldn't win.

"We will continue fighting!!! Two matches and the World Cup is what I have left, thanks for so much affection in all these years!!!"

Chile now sit sixth in the CONMEBOL standings with just two games left to play, a point behind fifth placed Argentina and two off Peru in fourth.

It could be that the playoffs are the country's only chance of reaching next summer's World Cup in Russia.

Vidal's retirement will have come as another blow to those associated with the Chilean national team, although there will be hope that he does not have to cease playing until at least June next year.

The experienced Bayern Munich midfielder has acquired 97 caps for Chile, and was a key part of their back-to-back Copa America victories in 2015 and 2016.

7 Surprise Countries Still in With a Chance of Qualifying for the 2018 World Cup

Qualifying for the 2018 World Cup is nearing its conclusion.

Japan, Mexico, Belgium, South Korea and Saudi Arabia have all added their names to the list of qualified teams in this international break, but with 24 places still be to decided there could yet be some surprising appearances from countries you might not have been expecting to see at the finals next summer.

Here's a look at seven unexpected nations still in with a chance of getting there...

7. Serbia (UEFA)

FIFA Ranking: 42nd

Formerly strong as a part of Yugoslavia, Serbia have only been to one World Cup in their own right since splitting with Montenegro in 2006, and that was in 2010.

After also failing to reach any European Championship tournaments in that time, topping a qualifying group containing Wales and Republic of Ireland, both of whom impressively reached the knockout rounds at Euro 2016, and an Austrian team who were fancied as Euro dark horses until wilting under pressure, has come as something of a surprise. 

Ranked lower by FIFA than their three group rivals, there are just two games left to play and only one more win now stands between the Serbs and automatic passage to Russia - they are already guaranteed at least a playoff berth.  

6. Peru (CONMEBOL)

FIFA Ranking: 15th

Not since the days of cult legend Teofilo Cubillas wearing the iconic red sash have Peru been to a World Cup. It is 37 years and counting since the country reached three tournaments out of four between 1970 and 1982, but they have given themselves an excellent chance for 2018.

With just two games of the CONMEBOL section remaining, Argentina's failings have opened the door for Peru, with the team rising into the fourth and final automatic qualifying berth after impressive back-to-back wins over Bolivia and Ecuador.

The floundering Argentineans, who currently occupy the Intercontinental playoff spot in fifth, failed to win either of their two games during this international break and are set to host Peru in a crunch penultimate game that could 'decide' both countries' fate.

5. Uganda (CAF)

FIFA Ranking: 73rd

Uganda moved top of CAF Group E after a win over desert powerhouse Egypt on 31st August, only to relinquish that all-important first place back to their north African rivals following a narrow defeat in the city of Alexandria on 5th September.

Uganda have never been to a World Cup before, while 2017 was their first Africa Cup of Nations appearance since 1978. That ended early with a group stage exit after the team failed to win any of their three games, yet World Cup qualifying has so far been a different story.

Their chance will hinge on Egypt dropping points in either of the final two games and also winning their own fixtures. Uganda, only the 15th highest ranked team in Africa, face Ghana at home next, while Egypt finish with Ghana away. Both also have Congo to play.

4. Panama (CONCACAF)

FIFA Rankng: 61st

Panama didn't even enter World Cup qualifying for the first time until the 1978 competition and have never successfully reached the final tournament in 40 years of trying, but that could soon come to an end if the central American nation can hold on in the final stages of the CONCACAF qualifying section.

With two games of the final group stage left to play, Panama, ranked 61st in the world, occupy the third of three automatic qualifying spots behind Mexico and Costa Rica.

The United States are a point back in the playoff berth after a disappointing campaign by their standards, and Panama's chances will hinge on whether they can avoid defeat to the Americans in Orlando in the next game. After that they face a home clash against a Costa Rica side that will likely have already secured an automatic place by that time.

3. Burkina Faso (CAF)

FIFA Ranking: 47th

Second and third place finishes at Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in 2013 and 2017 respectively should perhaps suggest Burkina Faso qualifying from the CAF section is not the most surprising outcome, but putting it altogether in a World Cup campaign is never easy. 

Burkina Faso have never been to the World Cup before and currently top a tough final round group that contains a strong but underperforming Senegal team.

With South Africa and Cape Verde also in the very tight group, any of the four countries could still finish top of the pile and land the golden ticket to Russia depending on how the final two rounds of fixtures play out.  

2. Cape Verde (CAF)

FIFA Ranking: 114th

If Burkina Faso have a chance to take the qualifying spot from CAF Group D then so do island minnows Cape Verde, who would be the lowest ranked team in Russia were they to surprisingly make it to the final tournament next summer.

Despite back-to-back defeats to begin the final qualifying round, Cape Verde are suddenly back in contention after successive wins over South Africa in recent days and are only off the top by virtue of Burkina Faso's superior goal difference at this point.

Those two will play each other in Ouagadougou on matchday six next month which could be a 'winner takes all' kind of contest if both countries are still in contention at the top by then.

1. Syria (AFC)

FIFA Ranking: 80th

For all of Syria's well documented troubles in recent years, it is remarkable that the national team should be in with an actual chance of reaching their first ever World Cup.

The war saw Syria disqualified the team from the 2014 qualifying campaign, while they have had to play home games in Malaysia this time around, the result of a generous invitation, after facing being banned again because of the ongoing conflict.

Having successfully qualified from the second round as one of the four best runners-up, Syria managed to snag third spot in Group A of the final round after a dramatic late equaliser in the last game against Iran. That now puts them into an October playoff against Australia for the right to contest an Intercontinental tie against the fourth ranked team from CONCACAF.

As things stand, it could well be end up being against the United States if Syria get there.

Transfer Values of Starting XI's Show Just How Mismatched France and Luxembourg Were in Shock 0-0

Three late goals from England in Malta on Friday night somewhat masked the potentially embarrassing fallout of struggling to beat one of the continent's minnows. But France weren't so fortunate on Sunday when Luxembourg held on for a momentous 0-0 draw in Toulouse.

The Luxembourg players celebrated their 0-0 score-line like a victory, and so they should.

Nueva agresión de Cristiano Ronaldo,en el partido Hungría-Portugal agredió a Fiola,no fue expulsado. pic.twitter.com/I0vhDAeI64

— Zona_Blaugrana (@Zona_Blaugrana) September 3, 2017

View image on Twitter

 Follow

Goal UK 

✔@GoalUK

ICYMI - this actually happened last night...

10:10 AM - Sep 4, 2017

•  Replies
 
•  77 Retweets
 
•  1616 likes

Twitter Ads info and privacy

The country is ranked 136th in the world by FIFA and the are only six lower ranked teams in the whole of Europe. France, while not at their peak 1998-2000 vintage, are widely considered to be one of the most talented sides in the world and rank among the top 10 ahead of Spain and Italy.

The mismatch in the two teams is no clearer than considering the transfer values of each starting XI.

France: Lloris, Sidibe, Koscielny, Umtiti, Kurzawa, Kante, Pogba, Lemar, Mbappe, Giroud, Griezmann

Luxembourg: Joubert, Jans, Philipps, Malget, Janisch, O.Thill, Skenderovic, Martins, da Mota, V.Thill, Turpel

13h

Nick Harris 

 ✔@sportingintel

Luxembourg have taken 24 pts from a possible 396 in 132 World Cup quals since 1930s. Four in the last few days, one at full strength France.

 Follow

Nick Harris 

✔@sportingintel

France's starting XI tonight cost their current clubs: £400,840,000.

Luxembourg's starting XI tonight cost their current clubs: £27,720.

9:59 PM - Sep 3, 2017

•  3434 Replies
 
•  1,0911,091 Retweets
 
•  1,5631,563 likes

Twitter Ads info and privacy

Sporting Intelligence's Nick Harris has calculated that France's team cost various club sides a shade over £400m to assemble. Much of that comes from Paul Pogba's move to Manchester United last summer and Kylian Mbappe's arranged move to PSG next year after an initial loan.

It is also worth noting that Thomas Lemar had the chance to join Arsenal for a fee rising to £92m on transfer deadline day last week, while Antoine Griezmann is widely expected to leave Atletico Madrid for around £85m at the end of the 2017/18 season.

 Follow

Gary Lineker 

✔@GaryLineker

After the horror of England only winning by 4 goals in Malta, France showed us how it's done with a goalless draw at home to Luxembourg. 

7:20 AM - Sep 4, 2017

•  183183 Replies
 
•  1,0161,016 Retweets
 
•  7,2107,210 likes

Twitter Ads info and privacy

Luxembourg's team, on the other hand, totals barely £27,000. Any number of the France group could personally buy that whole XI multiple times over in any given week given the money they earn playing for some of Europe's biggest clubs.

Metz in the lower reaches of Ligue 1 is the most glamorous clubs side represented among the Luxembourg squad, with many of the players plying their trade at home.

And not only was France's result embarrassing, it put a minor dent in their automatic qualification hopes for next summer's World Cup after opening the door top for Sweden.

France sit a point clear at the top of Group A and now face a potentially tricky away trip to Bulgaria in their next game in October, facing a side with a 100% win record at home so far. Sweden, meanwhile, meet Luxembourg and will be expected to win.

It could mean that Sweden actually lead the way heading into the final round of fixtures, occupying the only automatic qualifying berth, with France maybe having to settle for a playoff place in order to book their ticket to Russia.

---

​​