Wish You Were Here
During this brief World Cup hiatus, why not spare a thought for absent nations?
The following seven teams would all have brought something to the party, if only they’d qualified.
Still, there’s always next time…
Cameroon would have brought: Samuel Eto’o
Cameroon were the first African team to make the quarter finals in 1990, an achievement matched by Senegal in 2002. They then successfully qualified for the 1994, 1998 and 2002 tournaments, though never made it past the first round. They might have had a chance this year with Barcelona’s Samuel Eto’o leading the forward line, but finished a solitary point behind Ivory Coast in qualifying.
Greece would have brought: their Euro 2004 trophy
An unfancied Greece team shocked a continent in 2004, beating Portugal, France, Czech Republic and Portugal (again) to win Euro 2004 via some robust defending and mounumental team effort. They wouldn’t have made Germany 2006 any prettier but it would have been great to see the current European Champions continue kicking ass on the world stage. Hellas yeah!
Ireland would have brought: their fans
Ireland will never be dubbed “the Brazil of Europe” but talents like Robbie Keane and Damien Duff would have been welcome additions to this World Cup (Keane’s questionable “forward roll then fire an imaginary arrow” goal celebration would have been confiscated at customs though). The real reason we miss Ireland is their good natured supporters. Imagine England fans just happy to be there, dressed in green and without the violent downside.
Nigeria would have brought: Jay-Jay
The Nigerians were becoming semi-regulars at the World Cup, qualifying for three straight tournaments from 1994-2002 and twice making the second round. They were agonizingly close to a fourth consecutive appearance, finishing level on points with Angola, but having an inferior head to head record. Obafemi Martins pace would have given World Cup defences something to worry about, and Jay-Jay Okacha’s bag of tricks makes David Blaine look amateur.
Turkey would have brought: flares (the firework things, not the ’70s fashion things)
Their passionate, passionate fans would have created some serious atmosphere. With Germany’s sizeable Turkish population, they would have been well represented too. Not sure what this years policy on flares was (Budweiser approved flares only?) but Turkish fans would have found a way to light up the stadiums.
Uruguay would have brought: more stars
The only former champions not present, Uruguay’s light blue jerseys have two stars – count ‘em – proudly on display. Urugauy came closest of all the absent teams, narrowly losing the CONMEBOL-OFC play-off to Australia on penalties. They’re also the current Unofficial World Champions, which must count for something.
Wales would have brought: Giggsy
Germany 2006 was probably Ryan Giggs’ last chance to play on the world’s biggest stage, but the Welsh team never looked like qualifying. Also would have been fun to see how World Cup referees dealt with tough tackling, mouthy midfielder Robbie Savage (though he’s currently in enforced retirement from international football after a spat with John Toshack).
Who do you wish were here?
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Comments
By Daniel | June 29th, 2006 at 8:46 am 
I agree that Ireland would have been great. My experience with the Irish has always been great (I’m Mexican by the way). They sure now to drink and party it up.
I also would have liked Isreal and Greece
Posted from 
United States
By David | June 29th, 2006 at 9:17 am Venezuela
I know, I know … But hey if Ecuador could make it, why not us? I’m feeling 2010 will be our year …
Posted from 
Spain
By Brandon | June 29th, 2006 at 10:14 am I really wish Israel would have made it. In qualifications they didnt lose a single game, I thought their performance was too impressive not to be in the cup.
Posted from United States
By Claude | June 29th, 2006 at 10:26 am What about Denmark? Belgium also would have been a nice addition and so I don’t get my wife upset, her native Austria (the one that didn’t lose to Italy 1-0). Israel and the Palestinians in the same group would have been awesome.
Posted from United States
By Joao | June 29th, 2006 at 1:34 pm Scotland definitly! Their fans are the best in the world!
It’s a shame they don’t have a great team right now, but I hope they improve enough in time to be in Euro 2008 and WC 2010.
Cheers from Portugal!
Posted from 
Portugal
By liam | June 29th, 2006 at 4:18 pm Aye Scotland!
Posted from United States
By dan | June 29th, 2006 at 5:18 pm Sigh. We should have had Turkey, Denmark, Ireland, Wales, Israel, Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, South Africa, and many more (I’m not too fond of Greece though)..in fact, why not double the number of teams so no big gun will miss out? 
Or we could have a UEFA Cup-like competition for the teams who failed to qualify for the World Cup. Double the teams, double the football, double the fun eh? How about that, FIFA?
Posted from 
Singapore
By brian34 | June 29th, 2006 at 5:56 pm Wales would have brought Bellamy as well.
Posted from United States
By Malatesta | June 30th, 2006 at 1:31 am Traditional Uruguayan “garra” (guts). Their shirts are a classic, and i think they are a more realistic WC side than most Concacaf and Asian teams (excepting
Mexico and S. KOREA). Can’t understand how South America has just four places as Concacaf
does … pleeeease! They should have just one permanent spot, and another to be disputed with Oceania, as the fifth in South America needs to do.
Posted from 
Argentina
By Chris | June 30th, 2006 at 1:05 pm Israel, Romania, Bulgaria, Colombia, Cameroon, Ireland and Belgium!!!
Posted from 
Mexico
By soulreaver | July 3rd, 2006 at 12:04 am you all forget a country which in the last years was reconstructing it’s team:Romania.But now it’s finally over;we have a new team which i hope to be better than the one of hagi.Mutu,Chivu & the rest of young boys will bring once more romania in the scene and time will tell if i am mistaking
Posted from 
Romania
By Trapper | July 6th, 2006 at 9:21 pm Nigeria was a real loss.
I must admit I have a bit of a problem with the way the African qualification process is done.
They would have time to work their 5 groups into 1 if they didn’t insist on playing their Continental championship bi-annually.
Sad really…
Posted from 
Australia
By Soccer Fanatic | July 8th, 2006 at 4:56 pm Those who failed to make the world cup only have themselves to blame.
However, it’s a missed opportunity for some of the Africans like Nigeria, Cameroon and Senegal. Perhaps a lesson for them to take the qualifying games seriously.
Posted from 
United Kingdom
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