48 teams in the WC finals

[Dameerto]

Apart from generating more profit for FIFA to get their grubby hands on, this decision will go down well in Asia and Africa.

It'll make the position of the 'Sepp Blatter Mk II' numpty, who is now running the whole corrupt show, even more secure.

Moreover, as Nigel's Tackle posted, the USA are favourites to host the 2026 competition and this might even be construed as an inducement for our American cousins to curb the FBI's 'interest' in FIFA's wrong-doings.

From what I understood (was only half listening though) Africa comes out of it a big winner - which coincidentally happens to be the continent with a lot of votes up for grabs for presidents seeking re-election at FIFA. What a stroke of luck.

[john@staustell]

Apart from generating more profit for FIFA to get their grubby hands on, this decision will go down well in Asia and Africa.

It'll make the position of the 'Sepp Blatter Mk II' numpty, who is now running the whole corrupt show, even more secure.

Moreover, as Nigel's Tackle posted, the USA are favourites to host the 2026 competition and this might even be construed as an inducement for our American cousins to curb the FBI's 'interest' in FIFA's wrong-doings.

From what I understood (was only half listening though) Africa comes out of it a big winner - which coincidentally happens to be the continent with a lot of votes up for grabs for presidents seeking re-election at FIFA. What a stroke of luck.

Exactly this. Not so much about money, it's 'vote for me and I'll get you more places in the World Cup'

Infantino thinks he's clearing up money/trough corruption but he's just replacing it with another type!

[Dubciteh]

I am probably the only person who is happy to get behind it.

The more countries the better i say, give everyone a chance to experience it, coming from a relatively small country some of the best experiences the country have had have come from major football tournaments, i am all for more countries experiencing it.

Also its only an extra 16 teams so the quality wont be diluted that much(depending on the breakdown), there's not much between the teams that lose the playoff versus the winners, it just means all these will be in it.

The new format means that theres little room for error, 2 from 3 teams qualify meaning you lose your first match theres a good chance you are out, means less dead rubber games with teams going through motions and then straight into 32 team knockout.

[Wonderwall]

Lots of opportunities to fix match outcomes. Usually the final group matches kick off at the same time as there are 4 in the group. With this now being 3 it means the 2 teams playing the final game will know what they need to do in advance. The scenario where the teams in the final game both need a point to secure an advance into the knockout stage means you are going to have 90 minutes of keep ball without the opponent trying to get the ball.

Solution is the penalty shootout for drawn games but it makes a farce of it. IMO it should be a shootout before the game starts so the team who lost the shootout knows they have to win and will stop there being a drab 90 minutes of boring football.

[john@staustell]

I am probably the only person who is happy to get behind it.

The more countries the better i say, give everyone a chance to experience it, coming from a relatively small country some of the best experiences the country have had have come from major football tournaments, i am all for more countries experiencing it.

Also its only an extra 16 teams so the quality wont be diluted that much(depending on the breakdown), there's not much between the teams that lose the playoff versus the winners, it just means all these will be in it.

The new format means that theres little room for error, 2 from 3 teams qualify meaning you lose your first match theres a good chance you are out, means less dead rubber games with teams going through motions and then straight into 32 team knockout.

You're probably making sense. But I don't think I'm alone in thinking the whole international football thing would be better off scrapped and everyone has lost all respect for FIFA in this country - if we ever had any.

They need to scrap it and get some fella who has proved himself to have some integrity - preferably from outside football - to hire a few people and set up a football tournament to run every four years and tinker with the rules every now and again, if they must. You could even meet reps from each country - unpaid of course.

How hard can it be in the computer age? You don't need massive HQs, legions of employees and hundreds of millions of pounds, lecturing and pontificating. It'd be 40 years before it reaches the same greedy level and I'd be long dead.

Bin the lot. International football is nothing but a hindrance today.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

I am probably the only person who is happy to get behind it.

The more countries the better i say, give everyone a chance to experience it, coming from a relatively small country some of the best experiences the country have had have come from major football tournaments, i am all for more countries experiencing it.

Also its only an extra 16 teams so the quality wont be diluted that much(depending on the breakdown), there's not much between the teams that lose the playoff versus the winners, it just means all these will be in it.

The new format means that theres little room for error, 2 from 3 teams qualify meaning you lose your first match theres a good chance you are out, means less dead rubber games with teams going through motions and then straight into 32 team knockout.

You're probably making sense. But I don't think I'm alone in thinking the whole international football thing would be better off scrapped and everyone has lost all respect for FIFA in this country - if we ever had any.

They need to scrap it and get some fella who has proved himself to have some integrity - preferably from outside football - to hire a few people and set up a football tournament to run every four years and tinker with the rules every now and again, if they must. You could even meet reps from each country - unpaid of course.

How hard can it be in the computer age? You don't need massive HQs, legions of employees and hundreds of millions of pounds, lecturing and pontificating. It'd be 40 years before it reaches the same greedy level and I'd be long dead.

Bin the lot. International football is nothing but a hindrance today.

I'm surmising by your comment John, that you're possibly of more advanced years, which is a cause for surprise as you always retain a youthful zest in the posts you make.

However, with regard to your above post, I agree completely. It's just a pity that England persist in entering these ramshackle competitions because, apart from all other considerations, we only seem to be regularly humiliated in them.

[DoomMerchant]

It's absolute horseshit and super lame.

The problem ultimately is the breakdown.

Could we use 3 more euro and 2 more African teams? Sure why not.

But fucking 16 across the board? Fucking absurd.

International footy is shit enough.

Only makes the Euros and the Copa more exciting imho.

Cheers

[john@staustell]

I am probably the only person who is happy to get behind it.

The more countries the better i say, give everyone a chance to experience it, coming from a relatively small country some of the best experiences the country have had have come from major football tournaments, i am all for more countries experiencing it.

Also its only an extra 16 teams so the quality wont be diluted that much(depending on the breakdown), there's not much between the teams that lose the playoff versus the winners, it just means all these will be in it.

The new format means that theres little room for error, 2 from 3 teams qualify meaning you lose your first match theres a good chance you are out, means less dead rubber games with teams going through motions and then straight into 32 team knockout.

You're probably making sense. But I don't think I'm alone in thinking the whole international football thing would be better off scrapped and everyone has lost all respect for FIFA in this country - if we ever had any.

They need to scrap it and get some fella who has proved himself to have some integrity - preferably from outside football - to hire a few people and set up a football tournament to run every four years and tinker with the rules every now and again, if they must. You could even meet reps from each country - unpaid of course.

How hard can it be in the computer age? You don't need massive HQs, legions of employees and hundreds of millions of pounds, lecturing and pontificating. It'd be 40 years before it reaches the same greedy level and I'd be long dead.

Bin the lot. International football is nothing but a hindrance today.

I'm surmising by your comment John, that you're possibly of more advanced years, which is a cause for surprise as you always retain a youthful zest in the posts you make.

However, with regard to your above post, I agree completely. It's just a pity that England persist in entering these ramshackle competitions because, apart from all other considerations, we only seem to be regularly humiliated in them.

Advanced but not too advanced. 57 this year but had a wild life! Won't see 40 more years of FIFA that's for sure!

[dazby]

There are 8 and a half places granted to Asia in this plan. Guess who is ranked 8 and 9 in Asia?

I'll give you a hint. One of them is the biggest TV market in the world. The other is a middle eastern country that has a lot of oil, money and fancy hotels.

[Wonderwall]

There are 8 and a half places granted to Asia in this plan. Guess who is ranked 8 and 9 in Asia?

I'll give you a hint. One of them is the biggest TV market in the world. The other is a middle eastern country that has a lot of oil, money and fancy hotels.

Didn't fifa decide to change the geographical continents just to get Australia in with a chance also.

[dazby]

We had a situation where every qualifying we would smash all the pacific island countries and then have to play a South American country to qualify. We were hardly battle hardened for these games.

Just as Turkey did with UEFA, we applied to join the Asian confederation. Much better. Tough games against Japan, Korea and the middle eastern countries. Of course there's those Chinese teams we'll play against in the champions league.

[Slim]

We had a situation where every qualifying we would smash all the pacific island countries and then have to play a South American country to qualify. We were hardly battle hardened for these games.

Just as Turkey did with UEFA, we applied to join the Asian confederation. Much better. Tough games against Japan, Korea and the middle eastern countries. Of course there's those Chinese teams we'll play against in the champions league.

Yes, Australia have such tough games against the likes of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Bangladesh and Jordan. And even right now they are managing to screw up the second stage by shitting the bed against Saudi Arabia and Thailand.

Also this bullshit in point form.
1. Australia have never played a qualifier vs North or South Korea...ever.
2. We're not talking club football this is internationals, but for the record China are currently sitting last in their group without a win in 5 matches.
3. Australia have played 5 qualifying matches against Japan now, won only 1...still qualify at a canter.
4. Australia's most successful World Cup was after qualifying against Uruguay for 2006. Since being part of Asian qualifying, they have won only 1 match(2010), lost all 3 in 2014 and quite obviously failed to move past the group.

[dazby]

Travelling to these countries and performing is not a walk in the park.

[Tokyo Blue]

Nothing to do with ticket sales or TV money at all then.

[john@staustell]

Travelling to these countries and performing is not a walk in the park.

North Korea away might be fun.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Travelling to these countries and performing is not a walk in the park.

North Korea away might be fun.

I've heard the night life there is terrific, so the fans would certainly be well looked after in that respect.

[Wonderwall]

Travelling to these countries and performing is not a walk in the park.

North Korea away might be fun.

I've heard the night life there is terrific, so the fans would certainly be well looked after in that respect.

The fans would have already had the score of the match broadcasted to them before kick off!

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Travelling to these countries and performing is not a walk in the park.

North Korea away might be fun.

I've heard the night life there is terrific, so the fans would certainly be well looked after in that respect.

The fans would have already had the score of the match broadcasted to them before kick off!

Nice one WW.

So it's not a lot different from what Sky would like to do in the PL then ??