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A GOOD performance in regional championships is not really a reliable indicator of how a team will perform in World Cup qualifications.......Here are some teams that have done well, and even won, in regional championships BUT disappointed in World Cup qualifications (since 2000) -
EGYPT - Won 3 straight Africa Cup of Nations ('06, '08 & '10), BUT has not qualified for a World Cup since 1990.
ZAMBIA - Won 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, BUT failed to qualify for the '14 World Cup.......Zambia has never qualified for a World Cup.
GREECE - Won the 2004 Euros, BUT failed to advance from the UEFA Group Stage for the 2006 World Cup qualifications.
CANADA - Won the 2000 Gold Cup, BUT failed to advance from the CONCACAF Group Stage for the 2002 World Cup qualifications.
PANAMA - 2005 & 2013 Gold Cup Finalists, BUT has never qualified for a World Cup.
COLOMBIA - Won the 2001 Copa America, BUT failed to qualify for 2002 World Cup.
The preparation, mental approach & strategy for World Cup qualifications (home & away, playing in "hostile" territory & adjusting to inferior facilities) is different from a regional championships.
EGYPT - Won 3 straight Africa Cup of Nations ('06, '08 & '10), BUT has not qualified for a World Cup since 1990.
ZAMBIA - Won 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, BUT failed to qualify for the '14 World Cup.......Zambia has never qualified for a World Cup.
GREECE - Won the 2004 Euros, BUT failed to advance from the UEFA Group Stage for the 2006 World Cup qualifications.
CANADA - Won the 2000 Gold Cup, BUT failed to advance from the CONCACAF Group Stage for the 2002 World Cup qualifications.
PANAMA - 2005 & 2013 Gold Cup Finalists, BUT has never qualified for a World Cup.
COLOMBIA - Won the 2001 Copa America, BUT failed to qualify for 2002 World Cup.
The preparation, mental approach & strategy for World Cup qualifications (home & away, playing in "hostile" territory & adjusting to inferior facilities) is different from a regional championships.
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