Legend of the Blue Lion

Chapter 497 Opening of the Centennial World Cup

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The Chinese team entered the World Cup for the second time, 8 years earlier than the widely rumored that they can only rely on the convenience of the host country to participate in the World Cup.

Eight years is enough for us to cultivate and develop.

I believe that in the 2038 World Cup in China eight years later, the Chinese team will definitely make a breakthrough.

Now, the focus is on the 2030 Centennial World Cup.

Because, the first goal, the first point, the first win, there is hope.

……

As China won the last World Cup ticket after defeating the United Arab Emirates at home, the 2030 teams participating in the 48 Centennial World Cup have all been determined.

Among them, there are 8 in Asia, 18 in Europe, 9 in Africa, 6 in South America, 6 in North America and the Caribbean, and 1 in Oceania.

The complete list of the top 48 is as follows:
Asia (8): Iran, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Uzbekistan, Iraq, China;
Europe (18): England (defending), Germany, Russia, Belgium, Spain, Iceland, Serbia, Portugal, France, Switzerland, Croatia, Italy, Austria, Netherlands, Ukraine, Turkey, Norway, Poland;
Africa (9): Nigeria, Egypt, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana, Democratic Congo, Algeria, South Africa;
Central North America and the Caribbean (6): United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Honduras, Canada;

South America (6): Uruguay (host), Argentina (host), Paraguay (host), Brazil, Chile, Colombia.

Oceania Region (1): New Zealand.

This is a relatively complete World Cup, with teams from all continents participating, and some traditional powerhouses are not absent.

The century-old World Cup can indeed fully demonstrate the charm of football.

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On December 12, FIFA held a group draw ceremony.

According to the latest grading principles, the 3 host teams, and the top 9 FIFA points rankings of England, France, Germany, Brazil, Belgium, Chile, the Netherlands, Italy, and Colombia, these 12 teams are listed as the first seeding team.

The remaining 12 teams in the European zone are in the second tier; the 9 teams in the African zone are in the third tier; the 9 teams in the Asia and Oceania zone are in the fourth tier.

The 6 teams from Central America and the Caribbean are ranked according to FIFA points. The top 3 teams, the United States, Mexico, and Costa Rica, belong to the third tier, and the last 3 teams, Honduras, Jamaica, and Canada, belong to the fourth tier, and draw lots to avoid the rules of the same group.

This seemingly complicated lottery process is actually very simple.

And this kind of lottery classification method basically divided by region greatly increased the possibility of the death group and the existence of dark horses.

To a certain extent, the exciting level of the World Cup will be staged from the group stage.

And after entering the top 32, it will be a two-on-two fight, and a lottery system will be adopted.

Of course, this is for another time...

The point is that China, as the fourth-tier team, can already be sure to encounter a powerful team, but the best choice is Colombia, which is relatively weakest.

Moreover, at least one European team will be encountered.

The best lottery is always the best luck, which can be harvested...

When the lottery was in progress, the grouping situation became clearer little by little.

And China finally waited until this trip to the World Cup, the four target opponents...

Group A: Uruguay, Switzerland, Algeria, Iraq;

Group B: France, Poland, Egypt, Honduras;
Group C: Colombia, Croatia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Japan;
Group D: Brazil, Russia, United States, New Zealand;

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Group E: Argentina, Norway, Mexico, Iran;
Group F: Belgium, Serbia, Costa Rica, Australia;
Group G: England, Türkiye, Nigeria, South Korea;
Group H: Germany, Austria, Ghana, China;
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Group I: Paraguay, Portugal, Côte d'Ivoire, Saudi Arabia;

Group J: Netherlands, Spain, Cameroon, Jamaica;

Group K: Chile, Iceland, Senegal, Uzbekistan

Group L: Italy, Ukraine, South Africa, Canada.

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China is divided into Group H, the strongest Germany, Ghana in Africa, and Austria.

If you want to make a breakthrough in the world and strive to qualify for the group, you should fight with Ghana and Austria, and then occupy the No.8 quota of the 3 best groups.

This, perhaps, is the only way out.

And the schedule was arranged accordingly.
Opening match on June 6, Uruguay vs. Algeria;
Because there are a total of 72 games in the group stage, under the arrangement of four games a day, the group stage will last for half a month...

China's schedule is all in the Argentine division:

On June 6, at the Candy Box Stadium in Buenos Aires, against Germany;
On June 6, at the Libertadores Stadium in Aveyaneda, against Ghana;

On June 6, at the Monument Stadium in Belgrano, against Austria.

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June 2030 is another summer of the World Cup.

The South American continent is full of stars.

This is the [-]th anniversary of the World Cup, and it is also a high-level feast for football.Many tycoons, as well as teams from all continents, were absent.

As China participated in the World Cup finals for the second time, this time it came with the goal of breaking through zero backwards.

The three goalkeepers sent by the Chinese team are 41-year-old He Yu, 31-year-old Guo Xiangmeng, and 26-year-old Yang Pinglong.

He Yu is the oldest player in this World Cup.

At the same time, he is also the only free agent who has not played for any professional club.

Coupled with the fact that he was the world's No. [-] goalkeeper last year, these gimmicks alone are enough to attract the attention of the outside world.

However, the team he is in is not what most people are optimistic about...

China's first goal, first point, and first victory are still what everyone is looking forward to.

In He Yu's words, these regrets will definitely not be allowed to continue.

……

On June 6, Uruguay, one of the hosts, defeated Algeria 6-3 in the opening game, and officially opened the curtain of the 1-year World Cup!

Speaking of this World Cup, He Yu has a lot of old acquaintances.

Among Milan's former teammates, 6 of them are in the Italian national team, including Songcin, Romagnoli, Bellanova, Negri, Cutrone, and Tonin;
Diaz in Spain, Larsson in Norway, Bagheer in Poland, Sarr in France, Sancho in England, Lee Seung-woo in South Korea, Cavaliere in Brazil, Martin in France US team.

Among the old friends, Greco was also in the Italian team, and Bentancur was in the Uruguay team. Vercelli's troika back then, only Mastour was missing.

An old friend who is farther away, Djaga is the head coach of the Iranian team.

There is also an old acquaintance who is also the head coach.

Ghana manager, Kevin Boateng...

(End of this chapter)