Costa Rica, Ireland, and available seats

I have followed closely the news about the appeal of Ireland to qualify as the combined number 33 to the 2010 World Cup. While I think the Irish Federation has played the last card has brought me a smile the request of Costa Rica for selection 34. In the end, neither one nor the other. Ireland will see the World Cup from home. A pity, because I think Keane and company have done an excellent job.

The request of Costa Rica and Ireland, beyond the anecdotal, brings to the table two issues that have not been addressed with sufficient rigor: the play-offs and the number of guests. Let's start with the playoff stages. As we know, Europe signs 13 places for the World: new directive to the top of the group, and four extra passes out between the eight best second-place. Thus, Portugal, Greece, France and Slovenia may go to South Africa, was Russia, Ukraine, Bosnia and Ireland at home.

But there is also another couple of play-offs to attend the World Cup event. The less striking is played between the best third place in Asia against the champions of Oceania qualifying. On this occasion, Bahrain stood at the edge again (the previous World Cup, against Trinidad and Tobago) to attend the World Cup, giving up his seat to New Zealand (coming over since the departure of Australia to the Asian Confederation). Which is well aware of this side of the pond: the fifth confronts CONMEBOL CONCACAF's room. Thus, travel to African lands Uruguay and Costa Rica will watch on TV.

The point I would like to try is the coloring that FIFA has given this time to the play-offs. First, in Europe took the decision to appoint seeded for the playoffs. Thus, France, Russia, Greece and Portugal (in the ranking, the strongest) is not across. Why this privilege, but by interests of the organism? I imagine the courage of the federations to see a France - Portugal in the playoffs, before a duel less interesting as a Bosnia - Ireland. Also, FIFA decided to go on a geographic basis in the other two play-offs. Last time, Uruguay had to be measured with Australia and the Charruas left out, while the weak Trinidad and Tobago and Bahrain played a strange key that gave the pass to the Caribbean.

As always, the discussion ends pointing to the number of seats that each federation and the growth of your selections. Curious, but I have not heard anyone claim that Africa has five seats, while some feel that the three (half) of CONCACAF are excessive. Like, hard to compare the level of teams that were left out such as Ecuador and Colombia share to be present in North Korea or New Zealand.

Does it point to an extension of this equipment in the World? Of course not! I think the 32-team system is wrong. So? "Rearrange the passes? Under what criteria? I wish we had other means Conmebol ticket plus (or an entire ticket), or that African teams have also played a playoff chance. But one thing is certain: the UEFA overweight. No way, to endure, as our fellow Irishmen and Costa Ricans, to better times. Perhaps in four years, seats are available.