For everyone except France or Croatia, reasons to be cheerful about getting eliminated, at whatever stage:
1) Qatar 2022. Holders (moral) England would have found it more difficult to boycott. Also true if they'd Icelanded against Panama, and gone home after the group stage. It's certainly easier for their supporters now. "We're not scared of embarrassment, we love tournaments, but we got principles".
Similar rationales can be found for others. Subject to revision, after Euro 2020.
2) The Infantino/Putin shots on TV. May, Merkel, various royals ... no Final photo-op for you, or dilemma about having one. Americans especially, they dodged a bullet.
3) The old "losing to eventual winners" defence. Denmark have the best case here, sort of not losing to either.
4) Getting rid of that coach or player you want out. Wilmots Syndrome. Like, Poland? But probably not France.
1) Qatar 2022. Holders (moral) England would have found it more difficult to boycott. Also true if they'd Icelanded against Panama, and gone home after the group stage. It's certainly easier for their supporters now. "We're not scared of embarrassment, we love tournaments, but we got principles".
Similar rationales can be found for others. Subject to revision, after Euro 2020.
2) The Infantino/Putin shots on TV. May, Merkel, various royals ... no Final photo-op for you, or dilemma about having one. Americans especially, they dodged a bullet.
3) The old "losing to eventual winners" defence. Denmark have the best case here, sort of not losing to either.
4) Getting rid of that coach or player you want out. Wilmots Syndrome. Like, Poland? But probably not France.
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