WI Brazil Doesn't Qualify for the 1994 World Cup

[wilcoxchar]

The 1994 World Cup was already strange with neither France or England qualifying, and Bulgaria beating France in the final match to qualify. But it could have been even stranger.

Going into the final CONMEBOL matchday, group 2 was like this:

Bolivia  10
Uruguay  10
Brazil    9
Ecuador   4
Venezuela 2

The final matches were Ecuador-Bolivia and Brazil-Uruguay. Ecuador drew Bolivia and Brazil beat Uruguay 2-0, pushing Brazil to the top of the group and through to the World Cup.

But, what if Brazil drew Uruguay? Brazil's two goals were scored in the 72nd and 82 minute, so maybe Romario's second goal doesn't happen and Uruguay gets a last minute equalizer. If that happened, the final tally would have been like this:

Bolivia  11
Uruguay  11
Brazil   10
Ecuador   5
Venezuela 2

Only the top two teams in the group went through to the World Cup. So for the first time in history, Brazil would have not qualified. In OTL, Brazil went on to win their fourth World Cup title in 1994. With Brazil out from the start... everything is up for grabs.

 

[Hörnla]

So Uruguay might actually get into Pot 1 (Ranked 17 in FIFA World Cup listing)? Or otherwise in Pot 4 (Africa + Americas) which would make things difficult.

So I go with the first option, Uruguay replaces Brazil in Group B.

They end up in 2nd place there as they lose against Sweden instead of playing 1-1, but Uruguay beats Russia and Cameroon (though more narrowly). Sweden gets the top spot.

In the Round of 16, Sweden gets beaten by host USA in extra time (OTL Brazil won 1-0).

Uruguay is pit against Saudi-Arabia and effortlessly wins 4-0.

In the Quarterfinals, the United States lose 0-2 vs the Netherlands (OTL Brazil narrowly beat the Dutch 3-2).

Uruguay wins against Romania in extra time, 2-1.

Semifinal:

Uruguay meets the Netherlands, the match ends 0-1 in favour of the Dutch.

For the third time after 1974 and 1978, the Netherlands reach a World Cup final.

The Oranje team wins 1-0 vs Italy; it's the first World Cup win for the Elftal!