They were talking about 16 groups of 3 with 2 going through. I also heard that each game will produce a result, maybe by penalty, but I don't know if the last bit is true or not.
I care about the World Cup. I'm just not bothered about England. I feel the national team has been a pale shadow of what should be for a good 10 or 15 years now. I watch international tournaments to see small sides beat the big boys or to just in the hope that there will be great games. I want to see more obscure teams playing. I love it when a team or a player comes from nowhere and makes a huge impact. With more teams, there's more chance of that happening and, over time, with increased contact between traditionally small nations and the more established nations the overall standard should improve.
If you don't mind me saying, you have a rather romantic view of how the world cup should be. More minnows taking out the big boys. I love that idea. And I agree that over time standards should improve. But it's a tournament that only happens every 4 years. How many tournaments, times 4 years, before that happens? I'm on your side I think, with your view, but in my lifetime, I just see a world cup every 4 years that will pale into significance to what I recall from my youth. Although through rose tinted glasses they may have been admittedly.
Probably what the sponsors want to thrash out a new deal. Not many countries could provide the stadia for the additional games so that is the smaller countries out. Possibly there will be more to come about regionalising some of the qualifiers before the real games take place.
Why not have a two tier system, like European rugby, and have a cup and a shield. The minnows have their own tournament and the winnerskirting of the shield, or the best 2 or 4, qualify to play with the big boys. That way, the likes of Luxembourg may one day get to play in a big tournament.
Could not agree more. The membership of FIFA voting system takes some believing though when you consider that the likes of Zimbabwe has the same voting rights as the European nations. The Blatter legacy.
I understand why this is being seen as the usual FIFA money grabbing and sharp practice but to some extent this is a move towards equality. For years Africa has had a disproportionately low number of WC entrants in comparison to the number of countries that there are on that continent. With a 48 team World Cup, there can be more entrants. There is an issue with regard to quality but Africa, for example, produces plenty of players that are good enough to play in the European leagues so should be able to produce teams that can make a decent showing on the international stage.
Has there been an outcry from any of the FA's or teams? Personally I think its about time everybody told FIFA to F*CK right off and formed a new World Governing Body. Not wanting this to go down the boxing route with all the different WBA, WBO, WBC,IBF etc etc but summit has to be done with these corrupt b*stards.
Countries gain entry to the world cup proper by getting through the qualifiers. That`s what they`re for. If they`re not good enough they don`t deserve to be there, whoever they are. Adding a bunch of extras can`t do anything for quality and I can`t see it being anything other than a money spinner.