32 countries took part in the World Cup in Qatar, and next year there will be 48 countries in the US, Canada and Mexico. Many people have criticized the reforms that FIFA President Gianni Infantino wants. Too many games, the level is too low, they are afraid. Others think it’s great. Not only that, thanks to him, several countries escaped that had not been there for a long time or had never been there.
Scotland
Don’t offend Scottish people if you say they are not Brazilian. They never played the most technically advanced football, but they threw themselves into every duel. However, after the decisive 4-2 win against Denmark, this narrative had to be revised. Scotland scored one dream goal after another: First, Scott McTominay scored with an overhead kick. In stoppage time, Kieran Tierney’s shot was precise and then Kenny McLean lobbed the Danish goalkeeper from the halfway line. This marked the first World Cup qualifier in 28 years. “They’ll drink Glasgow dry tonight”shouted the TV commentator. You certainly don’t offend the Scots when you say that they managed to do this not only in Glasgow, but also in Edinburgh.
Curaçao
Of course the team is called The Blue Wave. The color is always there, whether in Caribbean water or in wicked liquor. With a 0-0 draw in a decisive and dramatic match in Jamaica, where they had to survive three opponents’ goals and a penalty taken back in the 95th minute, Curaçao has now qualified for the World Cup for the first time. As the smallest country in history. Only about 150,000 people live on the island, as many people as Paderborn. But they help a little. The Curaçao Football Association benefits from the fact that many Dutch people come from the Caribbean island. Almost all of the players were born in the Netherlands. Also the trainer. Dick Advocaat may no longer be able to name where he has coached (including Mönchengladbach). Now he has the ultimate dream job. However, he watched the deciding match in his home country due to family matters. Advocaat, 78, will replace Otto Rehhagel as the oldest World Cup coach next year Once replace.
Uzbekistan
It is very likely that Utkir will become the most popular boy’s name in the years to come Uzbekistanperhaps even throughout Central Asia. After all, Utkir Yusupov has been a national hero since the crucial qualifying match against the United Arab Emirates in June. The Uzbekistan national team goalkeeper reacted quickly by firing a neat shot in the 9th minute of added time. By doing so, he prevented Emirates from achieving victory and maintaining Uzbekistan’s qualification for the World Cup. This is a first, not only for Uzbekistan, but also for all of Central Asia. And that’s after some very unfortunate and unfortunate opportunities. There were wins annulled due to referee errors and the elimination of away goals in 2006 World Cup qualifying; and then an 8-9 penalty shootout defeat in qualifying eight years later. Participation is now safe. Uzbekistan.
Cape Verde
On October 13, Cape Verdeans only had to work half a day, according to orders from the president of the western African archipelago, José Maria Neves. Because as many people as possible can watch the decisive qualifying match against Eswatini at 15.00. Cape Verde won 3-0 and progressed, eight-time World Cup participant Cameroon trailing only second in the group. Cape Verde is taking part in the World Cup for the first time and, with a population of around 500,000, is Africa’s smallest participant. They achieved this with a sophisticated recruitment strategy, similar to Curaçao: for several years, the former Portuguese colony specifically sought players from Cape Verde all over the world. For example, they discovered French-born Logan Costa, the team’s current star, who moved to Villareal FC in the summer for 18 million euros. Former national player and current club coach in Cape Verde, Eduardo Fernandes Pereira Gomes, wrote to ZEIT after the successful qualification: “Cape Verde was previously just a holiday destination. Since yesterday it has also become a football country.”
You can read the detailed text about Cape Verde’s World Cup participants here.
Jordan
Ahmad Assaf, born in Munich, played for various clubs in regional leagues: VfB Eichstätt, Türkgücü Munich, FC Eilenburg, Bremer SV. He now plays for al-Hussein Sport Club in Jordan’s first league – and next year, if all goes well, in the World Cup. This is because Assaf and Jordan qualified for the World Cup for the first time, finishing second in the group behind South Korea and ahead of Iraq. Previously only four countries from Asia went to the World Cup, now there are at least eight. Jordan benefits from this. Assaf told the magazine 11 friendsAfter qualifying for the World Cup, the team flew back to the capital Amman on Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah’s private plane. “Jordan is a football-loving country and we have made many people’s big dreams come true by qualifying.”
Austria
Vienna celebrates Gregerl. In the 78th minute, substitute Michael Gregoritsch made it 1-1 against Bosnia-Herzegovina. This draw allowed Austria to take part in the World Cup for the first time in this century. Gregoritsch, like most Austrian players, is known from the Bundesliga. He scored goals for Bochum, Augsburg, Hamburg, Schalke and Freiburg, and has since landed in Brøndby, Denmark. “I was one of the slowest players,” he said after the match, beaming with joy. His teammates teased him because his weight was no longer ideal. So Gregoritsch lifted his T-shirt, showed the folds of his stomach to the TV audience and said: “Sometimes it’s not just how high the fat level that matters.”
Haiti
The last time Haiti qualified for the World Cup, the team could have played against Franz Beckenbauer and Co. – in Germany. That was in 1974, more than half a century ago. But it didn’t go that far: Haiti lost all three preliminary round matches. And clear. Haiti’s only goalscorer at that time, Emmanuel Sanon, is still the greatest footballer the small country has ever produced (almost eleven times Saarland or 3,851,540 football pitches). Now, it would be good, Les Grenadiers are fighting again to qualify and have the opportunity to dethrone Sanon. And of course: winning the first World Cup in Haiti’s history. Come on!
