BuzzerBeater Forums

Maybe you could use the following rule:

Odd Years (NT qualification, U21 WC)

U21 has priority for teams that remain in U21 WC.

If an U21 team does not qualify for the U21WC or repechage, the NT has priority for the full season. Once an U21 team is eliminated (after the repechage, 1st round, or 2nd round) the NT has priority for the remainder of the season.

Even Years (NT WC, U21 qualification)

NT has priority for teams that remain in WC.

If an NT team does not qualify for the WC or repechage, it may not use underaged players. Once an NT is eliminated (after the repechage, 1st round, or 2nd round), they can not use underaged players. If there are underaged players on the NT, the U21 may add them to their roster.

If a player is moved to the team with priority, there will be no enthusiasm loss for the team he is removed from. So the basic principle is that underaged players may be used by the NT as long as they are helping them win a competition, but the NT may not be used as a taxi squad for the U21.

If/When there is an U21 NT, what will be the eligibility standards?

If/When there is an U21 NT, what will be the eligibility standards?

er… 21 years of age or below?
in the real world, it's just that.

So let's say the U21 NT is initiated next season with continental qualifications. Will 21 YO be eligible for the qualifications, but not the finals when they are 22? or

Or will 21 YO not be eligible for qualifications?

I think it is still a good idea to initiate the U21 next season. Most countries (50 of 74) will be eliminated from the World Cup by the end of this season. 12 of the remaining 24 will be gone early in the season (after 3 games).

So instead of playing friendlies for a season waiting for the next qualification to start, the players can switch over to the U21 for qualfication. And if you like, simply make players under 22 ineligible for the NT when they are in a friendly season.

The teams that are competing in the initial NT WC should have enough depth to field two young squads, and you can simply give the team in the more important competion priority (so players could be moved to the NT. The two managers should be able to coordinate this so it doesn't happen 1/2 hour before tip-off of a qualification game.

The teams that do qualify for the initial WC can go 36-deep relative to the teams that don't qualify.