FIFA World Cup expansion - now with added OFC qualification!

Direct spot confirmed for Oceania

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11852831

Torn by this. Great we'll have more chance of qualifying, but stink we'll never get another Bahrain/Mexico night.

And given it will be 16 groups of 3 teams, we'll have a UEFA team and probably another seeded team. So even lower chances of making the "top 32".

So one less WC game, and 2 less intercontinental games. If the talk of the Confeds Cup being disestablished then we'd be down at least 5 competitive games in a WC cycle. 

Agree, though may get some higher quality friendlies esp  in the months just before a World Cup kicks off. 

But overall disappointing that any chance of Oceania joining the 2nd round of AFC qualifying (if there ever was a chance), and having a of number quality competitive qualifying games in NZ now seems dead and buried.

Do it for 2 - 3 WC comps - bank the money wisely and then seek to leave Oceania.

Whilst we love to watch NZ play, the reality is, we need to be financially stable to support our teams at all levels. No more making players pay to train with national age group squads, poor build ups because a lack of funds or our best females retiring early.

Do it for 2 - 3 WC comps - bank the money wisely and then seek to leave Oceania.

Whilst we love to watch NZ play, the reality is, we need to be financially stable to support our teams at all levels. No more making players pay to train with national age group squads, poor build ups because a lack of funds or our best females retiring early.

Take the money honey. 

If we make bags more by being there for two matches every four years, we should be able to have decent home friendlies more often then Intercontinental play-offs which are hit and miss. 

While Argentina and Mexico = $$$, Bolivia = Asthma Attack.

Fiji night

hopefully in november

Ivan Vicelich is representing Oceania as a legendary former player at the current FIFA Congress in Bahrain where they have got together legendary players from each Confederation  to give their opinions, take part in PR and play in a series of friendlies between Confederations.

Pretty good caliber of former player Ivan's mixing with:

Auckland City FC‏Verified account@AucklandCity_FC May 9

More

• Share via Direct Message
• Copy link to Tweet
• Embed Tweet
• Mute @AucklandCity_FC
• Unmute @AucklandCity_FC
• Block @AucklandCity_FC
• Unblock @AucklandCity_FC
• Report Tweet
• Add to other Moment
• Add to new Moment

LEGEND #NavyBlues #AllWhites legend @IvanVicelich with Cafu, Ronaldinho & Carlos Valderama et al #Bahrain #ClubWC #FIFACongress

Full photo with Ivan:

pic.twitter.com/IvMozZjshf

New Zealand Football, OFC Champions League, Auckland Football and 7 others

Ivan Vicelich‏Verified account@IvanVicelich May 10

More

• Share via Direct Message
• Copy link to Tweet
• Embed Tweet
• Mute @IvanVicelich
• Unmute @IvanVicelich
• Block @IvanVicelich
• Unblock @IvanVicelich
• Report Tweet
• Add to other Moment
• Add to new Moment

The legend. #maradona @FIFAcompic.twitter.com/fTKz8nqCIy

OCEANIA VS. CONMEBOL LEGENDS FRIENDLY MATCH @ FIFA CONGRESS BAHRAIN, MAY 2017

Ivan Vicelich‏Verified account@IvanVicelich 23h23 hours ago

More

• Share via Direct Message
• Copy link to Tweet
• Embed Tweet
• Mute @IvanVicelich
• Unmute @IvanVicelich
• Block @IvanVicelich
• Unblock @IvanVicelich
• Report Tweet
• Add to other Moment
• Add to new Mome

This stadium brings back good memories of 2009 and our @FIFAWorldCup qualifier. Today it's @OFCfootball vs @CONMEBOL and @PibeValderramaP