AIBU to wonder why the UK gets 4 teams in the World Cup, whereas France only gets one.

[TheKittenswithMittens]

Why don't we play as UK in the World Cup? Why do we get 4 teams when everyone else gets just the one? It would bring an end to anyone but England sentiment.

Would you say NI is a country or part of one?

Wrexham and Cardiff play in the English leagues, so how does your explanation justify that?
its even more simple….its because they are different countries.

Never read so much shite in my life, OP.

Why would NI be any less a country than the other nations in the UK? It has more devolution than England.

Yes I agree with that but they are part of Ireland imo.

It’s a country. Which other country is it a part of?
If you’re talking about Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, they’re 2 different countries.

Theyre not. And your opinion doesn’t change the status of a country.

?
Not politically, a country is not defined by landmass or the whole of Europe would be one country.
NI is on the island of Ireland but not part of the country of Ireland. They have their own governments and almost no political crossover.

I've often wondered about this myself, so I'm really pleased to have read this thread. It's been clearly explained by some posters, not so much by plenty of others.

I think it has to be seen as a country at the moment.
But is a very sensitive question.

Was East / West Germany separate countries?
Are North / South Korea separate countries?
Then Cyprus is it 1 or 2?

The actual answer!

Yet..

BL for touring squads. There are also the national sides, England, wales, Scotland….

What about Malta ?

Part of the same island as Ireland, but not politically connected in any way. Ireland is a Sovereign state; Northern Ireland is part of a separate Sovereign state.

If there were a UK FA some of those would not be in it:Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man are not in the UK (are self-governing Crown Dependencies); neither is Ireland (ref to 'Irish' teams in the comment you responded to). IFA represented Ireland before Northern Ireland existed. FAI now represents Ireland.

Its current political status is a fact though, it’s not sensitive/ wishy washy.
It is a county with an entirely separate government to the ROI and not politically linked in any way. Whether loyalist or nationalist that fact isn’t confusing nor is it muddy.

They are not part of the UK, although the UK looks after their defence and certain aspects of foreign affairs.

British and Irish lions actually and it’s not the same thing.

I never said did.

Sorry, I wasn't meaning to get at you at all - just the predictive text error made this heated discussion turn yet another corner!

There have been some very special players, so that’s a bit unfair….Gareth Bale, Ryan Giggs, Paul McGrath, George Best, Kenny Dalgleigh, Dennis Law, Graeme Souness. Plus Scotland qualified this year so they can’t be as rubbish as you’re making out?

They’re part of the island of Ireland, not the country of Ireland.

This gives some history as to why the team branding is just “Team GB”, whereas their official status is Team GB&NI.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_GB

North and South Korea are separate countries.
East and West Germany were separate countries and played in the World Cup separately.

Cyprus is ONE country. The northern area of Cyprus is illegally occupied and “North Cyprus” is not a recognised country.