Liedjes Voetbal Steekspel 1978

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This was the eighth Liedjes Voetbal Steekspel to be held. It took place exactly four years after the previous World Cup in 1974. European Qualifiers would take place in 1976 in which 18 spots would be filled. This is two less than the previous World Cup but this change was supposed to implemented in 1974. Notable changes in these events would be the massive reform of the French national team which had lost to both Hungary and Yugoslavia in the previous World Cup and hadn't managed to get far. The new manager, a previous French player who was in the team between 1956 and 1962, promised to get the team another French victory at the World Cup following disappointments in previous years. China's team was suspended from competing in any capacity, and therefore Taiwan was allowed to take part in the Asian Qualifiers. Northern Ireland competed in the European Qualifiers. the Yugoslavia national team, which had some issues from before even the 1974 World Cup ended, was completely remade after ethnic tensions and many Croats and Slovenes leaving. The new Yugoslav team would be made up of primarily Serbs, Macedonians and Bosnians. the Soviet Union allowed Baltic footballers to play in the national team which until them had been kept "Russian".

Asian and African Qualifiers would take place in early to mid 1977 in which 3 spots would be filled each. North America Qualifiers would take place in late 1973 in which a further 2 spots would be filled each. South American Qualifiers would take place in late 1973 to early 1974 in which 5 spots would be filled each. The remaining spot would be taken by the host country:

won the hosting rights to the 1978 contest in the 1971 vote. The organising body finally agreed to host another World Cup in South America, following their great success. Brazil was eliminated for previous hosting a South American vote. No European nations attempted to get the host, but other continents did. Other bids included:

The organising body had a meeting in 1977 to decide on the host cities for the 1982 World Cup and the Euro 1980 host, but also discussed the possibility of disqualifying Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union and forcing them to play as their constituent countries akin to the United Kingdom playing independently. The notion was voted down mainly by Serb and Russian voters. The constituent countries would not take part in this World Cup, but discussions were promised to reopen in the next meeting with one key exception: the Soviet constituent country of who played on the basis that is was too distinct from the Russians, with a team made of up mostly Finns, Swedes and Estonians.
 * , with the final in Buenos Aires
 * , with the final in Sydney
 * , with the final in Beijing
 * , with the final in Mexico City
 * , with the final in Managua
 * , with the final in Lima

European Qualifiers (1976) - 18 countries
Each group consisted of 6 countries. There would be 6 groups in total for a total of 36 teams in the running. They would play each other once, less than the previous years. The top three teams will qualify from each group. These all qualify for the World Cup. The bottom 3 teams in terms of goal difference would be relegated from taking in the 1980 European Qualifiers for the 1982 World Cup unless no alternative team can be found. The relegated teams not present in this championship are Andorra, San Marino, and Greenland.

The three teams relegated for the next tournament are:

finished with the same goal difference as the other three but won the tiebreaker. The also received 1 point but they had the lowest GD difference between itself and the country that performed one better, where it was just one goal, compared to Albania's 2 goals or Cyprus' 6 goals.
 * (-13 GD, with 0 points)
 * (-13 GD, with 1 point, a difference of 6 GD from the next team up)
 * (-13 GD, with 1 point, a difference of 2 GD from the next team up)

The matchdays for Group A are: 3rd May 1976, 5th July 1976, 16th August 1976, 27th September 1976, and 6th December 1976.

The matchdays for Group B are: 4th May 1976, 6th July 1976, 24th August 1976, 5th October 1976, and 7th December 1976.

The matchdays for Group C are: 5th May 1976, 7th July 1976, 25th August 1976, 13th October 1976, and 8th December 1976.

The matchdays for Group D are: 6th May 1976, 8th July 1976, 2nd September 1976, 21st October 1976, and 9th December 1976.

The matchdays for Group E are: 7th May 1976, 9th July 1976, 10th September 1976, 22nd October 1976, and 10th December 1976.

The matchdays for Group F are: 10th May 1976, 12th July 1976, 20th September 1976, 25th October 1976, and 11th December 1976.

Group A
, and new debutant  qualified for the World Cup. There is much upset as one of the greatest teams in the world, Yugoslavia, fail to qualify on a goal difference tiebreaker with first time World Cup qualifier Estonia.

Group B
, and  qualified for the World Cup. Debutant Northern Ireland failed to qualify and ended at the bottom of the group. All three of the top 3 teams didn't lose a single match.

Group C
, Czechoslovakia and  qualified for the World Cup. World champions Czechoslovakia came second in the group and interestingly drew Italy who they had beaten in the World Cup final just two years before.

Group D
, and  qualified for the World Cup. This makes all third places so far a Nordic country. Wales is also the third British Isle nation to be eliminated, and the second to come fourth.

Group E
, and  qualified for the World Cup. There was controversy when the Soviets tied Greece in goal difference and points and a tiebreak match was held. This method was criticised. Greece and the Soviet Union tied in points and goal difference and as a qualifying borderline space, required a new tiebreaking match that could use penalties. Penalties weren't needed however as the Soviets beat Greece to advance to the World Cup.

Group F
, and  qualified for the World Cup. This is the only group where no country had the same number of points. Romania achieved the highest number of ties in a group stage so far.