The next World Cup format sounds horrendous
- Thread starter Jedi boro
- Start date
ThePrisoner
Well-known member
That sounds dreadful. Too many teams and too small groups. Cheapening the whole tournament.
Centralscrutinizer
Well-known member
It's ridiculous. All about milking it for money 
and 
that means three additional concacaf slots to the newly added number. So you will have 7/8 concacaf members qualifying.
asredastheycome
Well-known member
You thought it could not get any worse than being hosted at America, Canada and Mexico but it surely has.
Jedi boro
Well-known member
The guardian makes a valid point as it’s 3 teams it mean one will not play and Yuen face a side who will have already have played so only need a point.
There is also, some say, a significant disadvantage to being the team that does not feature in the opening group game. Sixteen countries will start their campaigns against a team who have already played. If that team won their opening game they will know they only need a point to progress. If they lost it, they know they need a win to stand any chance of avoiding elimination. Both suggest a very different approach to a game where both teams start on zero points.
There is also, some say, a significant disadvantage to being the team that does not feature in the opening group game. Sixteen countries will start their campaigns against a team who have already played. If that team won their opening game they will know they only need a point to progress. If they lost it, they know they need a win to stand any chance of avoiding elimination. Both suggest a very different approach to a game where both teams start on zero points.
Jedi boro
Well-known member
Article in full
www.theguardian.com
Three hosts, 48 teams: how the 2026 World Cup will work
USA, Canada and Mexico will host the 2026 World Cup. Here’s what three hosts and 48 teams means for the tournament and for qualification
www.theguardian.com
Jedi boro
Well-known member
FIFA
Unanimous decision expands FIFA World Cup™ to 48 teams from 2026
The FIFA Council has unanimously decided in favour of expanding the FIFA World Cup™ to a 48-team competition as of the 2026 edition. World football’s supervisory and strategic body held its third meeting at the Home of FIFA in Zurich on 9 and 10 Janu...
www.fifa.com
TeaCider
Well-known member
FIFA
Unanimous decision expands FIFA World Cup™ to 48 teams from 2026
The FIFA Council has unanimously decided in favour of expanding the FIFA World Cup™ to a 48-team competition as of the 2026 edition. World football’s supervisory and strategic body held its third meeting at the Home of FIFA in Zurich on 9 and 10 Janu...
There's 4 years until the tournament, FIFA are very happy to change things last minute.
Qatar was agreed to be in the summer for 5 years before they changed their mind there.
The qualification won't be completed until 2025, so there's lots of time for "feedback".
Sheriff_John_Bunnell_ret
Well-known member
Hopefully it will be like the Spain (?) World cup where they didn't have a final. Ditched the format after 1 WC when they realised it was daft.
When did the current format start? Was it 94?
When did the current format start? Was it 94?
Bosh it up to 64 teams and don't bother with groups
knockout drama from the off, no messing.
TeaCider
Well-known member
Bosh it up to 64 teams and don't bother with groups
Less TV appeal for them if the big teams are knocked out too early.
I think they'll realise how many dead rubbers they'll be left with if they stick to the 3 team format.
They'll also risk their big boys getting knocked out in their first match, which they'll want to avoid.
Argentina losing to Saudi Arabia could have been fatal if there were only 2 matches.
Fat_Dragon
Well-known member
So will it be a winter world cup again?
40 degrees in Florida, Texas, Vegas and Mexico in the summer. Wouldn't want to play in that heat.
40 degrees in Florida, Texas, Vegas and Mexico in the summer. Wouldn't want to play in that heat.
TeaCider
Well-known member
I doubt it, it's primarily hosted in America and that would be smack bang in the middle many of their sports' seasons.
Both Mexico and the USA have managed it before without too many issues too.
Peppery_John
Active member
Very frustrating for England, winning all of their first group games and then ending up in the 3 team group of death. Then going out unbeaten with 2 goalless draws.