My favorite result of the year with France v. Luxembourg.
France had four pale-faces starting for them. A good number, considering their U21 team had no white starters other than the goal keeper. Yes, you saw that right. Even South Africa has more white outfield players than that!!
Some potential good news for fans of Germany. In their important away qualifier against Czech Republic, the Germans actually looked, well, German!! They had 10 white starters in the game, finishing with 8. Not too bad, considering what their team could look like! They appear to have found some great options up front in young speedster Timo Werner (who had a good goal in the game) and striker Lars Stindl, who after playing great in the Confederations Cup, now seems to be the primary striking option. Germany remains perfect in qualifying thus far, and if certain things (i.e. injuries for once) fall right, the Germans may be a palatable option in 2018 to support.
The Czechs had their usual 1 black who seems like he's been on the team forever in Gebre Selassie.
In Group A, it looks like France and Sweden will be the two teams topping the group. It's a shame, as the Netherlands (8 and 7 white starters) have actually whitened up a fair bit after their disastrous Euro campaign. It looks like the Dutch (3rd place) will miss out again.
In Group B, it's the two multi-culti teams in Switzerland and Portugal topping the group. Switzerland only had four non-Albanian white players (3 Swiss starting for them). That's the one thing that makes Switzerland better than teams like France or England. At least Albanians are genetically white, which looks a lot better than what England or Belgium puts out. Portugal had just 6 white starters in their last match, finishing with 5. Geez, they have gotten bad, and have no reason to be that bad.
In Group C, it's Germany and Northern Ireland at the top. Germany have all but won the group, and Northern Ireland is comfortably in 2nd over Sweden. Northern Ireland of course has one black starter (the only minority on the team, go figure). Sweden is actually pretty good, with 10-11 white starters in their recent matches, but it looks like they'll miss out.
Group D has all-white Serbia currently in position to claim the automatic berth to the World Cup, with mostly-white Ireland behind them for the playoff. Ireland only had 8(!) white starters in their last match, a tie with Georgia. I hope Wales, a white side (9 Welshmen got the start in their last match) catches and passes Ireland. I'd love to see Bale at the World Cup.
Group E has all-white Poland leading the race to get the automatic berth. Despite a 4-0 whipping at the hands of Denmark (10 white starters), the Polish side is still in the lead, with all-white Montenegro tied with Denmark for the playoff spot.
Group G has quite possibly the 2nd worst team in Europe in England leading the race, unfortunately. Against Malta, they only had 5 white starters, finishing with 6 on the pitch. On the bright side, all-white Slovakia will likely be 2nd in the group, with only Scotland (1 minority starter) and Slovenia (all-white) a threat to them.
Group F was all but won by Spain, who with an all-white side demolished Italy 3-0. The all-white Italians will have to go the playoff route it seems, unless Spain trips up somewhere.
Multi-culti Belgium stormed through Group H, easily winning it and qualifying for the World Cup. In a rare event, Belgium started 8 white players, and finished with 9(!) on the pitch in their last match! Not too bad.
In terms of 2nd place, all-white (but mostly Muslim) Bosnia and all-white Greece will be vying for the playoff spot, with just a point separating the two.
In Group I, it'll be two of all-white Croatia, Ukraine, or Euro 2016 darlings Iceland at the top of the Group. Iceland were dealt a massive blow in losing to Finland on their last match day. They can still qualify, but just made it VERY hard on themselves. Turkey are all but eliminated.
