I think that is where it is heading, there is no way really to progress beyond the shoddy new format without going there. It would be at least 128 games if run in a standard format (16 groups of 4). They could make it straight knock out and keep it down to 64 games, but it would feel a bit of a waste of time to go through all of the qualifying and fall out of the tournament after 1 game and imagine the host nation being knocked out in the opening game! 128 games would mean it would almost certainly have to be hosted regionally rather than by 1 or 2 host nations, I’m not a fan myself but I think that is the only really practical approach for a tournament of that size.
It is worse than that as none of the 5 from that Asian bid have qualified before. They surely couldn’t let 5 hosts qualify automatically? That really would be a farce
2030 will be Spain/Portugal imo, the South American bid just has too much sporting infrastructure to build. Can’t see 2034 being anything other than China.
Trying to imagine the scene at FIFA HQ today. “Right then everyone. All seems set for today’s big World Cup draw. Tens of millions watching, but no pressure. So, who we got doing the draw then? Zidane? Zico?” “Err well actually boss…” “Beckham? Maldini…” “Well there’s been a bit of cost saving. You know, pandemic and that…but we got JJ in” “Oh okay, JJ Okocha?” “Well, no, it’s…” “NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson? Strange choice, but I guess it’ll appeal to the Americans a bit” “Err…no…we got Jermaine Jenas…” “WHO?” “Jermaine Jenas. You know, average ex Spurs midfielder and presenter on the One Show…” “…” “…”
No expense met there then, but a good time for a late afternoon nap. Edit; What are the BBC like eh? It's April 1st, they've been joshing us all along. Should have realised, no one would have Jermaine Jenas hosting a major event like this. Would they?
Ran a test drawing and got Qatar/Netherlands/Tunisia/Canada and England/Croatia/South Korea/Cameroon. Wouldn't be adverse to that.
Imo Toughest possible group - France, Germany, Senegal, Ecuador. Weakest possible group - Qatar, Croatia, Tunisia, New Zealand (if they qualify). Insert England as pot 1 for our possibilities. I strongly suspect Qatar will walk away with an unreal group because FIFA. People do seem to forget they aren't entirely awful though, they are Asian champions so on their day able to better Japan, South Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia, in horrible form at the moment mind.
Can't have two CONCACAF teams in the same group. I wouldn't cry about England, Uruguay, Iran and Canada though.
