Africa - 9 (up from 5) Asia - 8 (up from 4 or 5) Europe - 16 (up from 13) North, Central America and Caribbean - 6 (up from 3 or 4) Oceania - 1 (from 0 or 1) South America - 6 (up from 4 or 5) Not very subtle from FIFA
Just going to make the Tournament even more drawn out, with more meaningless games in the groups. Poor move from FIFA
Wonder how they'll divide it up? 8 groups of 6, 12 groups of 4. Either way the first round will go on for ever.
Wasn't there talk of having 16 teams properly qualify and 32 play off for the remaining 16 spots, so 16 teams fly out to wherever for one game?
8 groups of 6 would be best. On the plus side, you'd get to see your country play at least 5 games. On the minus side, would you want to see England play 5 games?
I heard that too. Next they'll say that Brazil, Germany, Italy and few others will automatically qualify for every tournament in a bid to ape the Champions League
Whatever way they do it, there's either going to be loads of meaningless group games, when the 'smaller' countries can no longer qualify from the groups. Or there will be endless knockout stages.
I think international tournaments have become boring because the lesser teams have gotten better. Every team in the last few tournaments have been very tactically aware. Where are the 1990 Cameroon type sides? They didn't even know the rules, it was great!
It'll be twelve groups of four with top two plus eight best runners up progressing. Only one extra game for each team but many more games for fans
If I did , I would hire Arsenal to do the lobbying for me , seeing they have a dodgy history with lobbying .
Arsenal were promoted without earning it through normal procedures , what prove is needed to state the obvious piskie
