What if FIFA replicated the NCAA basketball model and expanded the World Cup finals to 64 teams -- well, 65 if you'd like a play-in game in Dayton or, say, Dortmund -- and essentially seeded the entire field instead of relying on imbalanced groups? We're talking about one match at a neutral site, winner advances, loser goes home.
We've got power conferences (Europe and South America) and mid-majors (Africa, CONCACAF and Asia). Sorry Oceania, but with Australia playing in Asia, you are going to the NIT. Seeds are based on FIFA rankings -- flawed, I know, but the NCAA selection committee isn't perfect either. I've also taken the liberty of moving Brazil into the top four seeds to avoid European domination. So your regional favorites are: Spain (South), Germany (East), Netherlands (Midwest) and Brazil (West).
The first round will play out with eight games per day, today through Thursday. The second round, sweet 16, regional finals and final four will be held next week.
Teams advance based on your votes. Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell your co-workers! Jump to the continuation of this thread to make your first four South Region picks. (The other four will be available later today.)
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2009/03/world_cup_ncaa_style.html?wprss=soccerinsider
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