World Cup for the losers? Yep, it could be a thing

Douger · Nov 15, 2017

A tournament for all of the teams that didn't make it through to the 2018 World Cup could actually become a thing, after the suggestion was made on social media.
US officials have confirmed it's an idea being considered following the country's embarrassing 2-1 World Cup qualifying loss to Trinidad and Tobago last month.

A World Cup for the losers? Yep, it could be a thing

I find this really funny. It's reflective of America's unique take on sports where losing has no consequences, winners go unrewarded, and everyone gets a participation prize.
I doubt this tournament will fly. Any players who participate in this will never live it down.

faroukfarouk · Nov 15, 2017

Douger said:
A tournament for all of the teams that didn't make it through to the 2018 World Cup could actually become a thing, after the suggestion was made on social media.
US officials have confirmed it's an idea being considered following the country's embarrassing 2-1 World Cup qualifying loss to Trinidad and Tobago last month.

A World Cup for the losers? Yep, it could be a thing

I find this really funny. It's reflective of America's unique take on sports where losing has no consequences, winners go unrewarded, and everyone gets a participation prize.
I doubt this tournament will fly. Any players who participate in this will never live it down.

Like, also: "It won't matter either if we lose WW3; the main thing is to be nice to the victims."

Silmarien · Nov 15, 2017

Douger said:
A tournament for all of the teams that didn't make it through to the 2018 World Cup could actually become a thing, after the suggestion was made on social media.
US officials have confirmed it's an idea being considered following the country's embarrassing 2-1 World Cup qualifying loss to Trinidad and Tobago last month.

A World Cup for the losers? Yep, it could be a thing

I find this really funny. It's reflective of America's unique take on sports where losing has no consequences, winners go unrewarded, and everyone gets a participation prize.
I doubt this tournament will fly. Any players who participate in this will never live it down.

Third placed teams that drop out of the Champions League play in the Europa League instead, so it's not exactly unheard of for losers to still progress in some way. It'd be a bit odd to do it in this context, I don't think players would have a problem living it down if it happened.

In any case, it'd be fun to watch Italy wreck all the other contenders or fail in the attempt. Amunt València i visca Espanya.

ImAllLikeOkWaitWat · Nov 15, 2017

I would definitely like for this to be a thing. Because there are some really good teams that miss out every year and I would still like to see them compete even if not in the world cup. The champions league europa comparison also seems to fit here.

LordDuncanBurneWilke · Nov 15, 2017

It's actually not that uncommon in the sporting world to have a 'B' side or consolation bracket.

Douger · Nov 15, 2017

You all make good points, I'm probably being too negative about the idea.
I guess it bugs me to see the US doing this as they should have simply qualified, but they didn't, and before we hear of any meaningful changes to the way the sport is run, they say "oh well, we'll just make our own tournament".
I feel like this whole ordeal might get swept under the rug and before we know it, pundits will be back to comparing MLS to the worlds big leagues and making other vain and pointless comparisons while US soccer plods along in endless mediocrity.

ImAllLikeOkWaitWat · Nov 15, 2017

I wonder if they would make it where if you win this alternative world cup if you get an automatic world cup bid. Would make sense. Like is done with europa league.

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World Cup for the losers? Yep, it could be a thing

Douger

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faroukfarouk

Fading curmudgeon

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Silmarien

Existentialist

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ImAllLikeOkWaitWat

For who can resist his will?

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LordDuncanBurneWilke

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Douger

Veteran

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ImAllLikeOkWaitWat

For who can resist his will?

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