Expanded to 48 teams from 32 for 2026 I bet this will now include Qatar and Saudi etc by some strange way need to see more about it but I’ll hedge my bets
It makes me wonder if the European Championships are more prestigious. Other Than Brazil and Argentina, Europe is the power house of football, The standard of football throughout the Euros is better (Imo) Fifa are now letting substandard countries play in the World Cup...blatant money grabbing
As someone who loves the world cup more than anything else in sport I am torn here. The last world cup had brilliant games with the so called lesser teams. They brought a freedom to the tournament which was tremendous to watch. I think some of the middle eastern and african teams are really improving so quickly and I enjoy watching them. But maybe there is too much of a good thing. 16 extra teams seems a lot and the last thing anyone wants to see in a world cup is a drubbing. Time will tell I suppose, and I will give it a chance.
I used to enjoy watching 'lesser nations' compete at world cups, partly for the fun element, but that doesn't seem to exist anymore 'cos even the smaller nations seem as if they'd be punished if they didn't do well. Gone are they days when the likes of Zaire, Morocco, El Salvador, Scotland or Honduras would bring a smile to my face
Thinking about all the dead rubbers , it could kill the Golden Goose, a straight knock out competition would defeat the object, so it will be interesting or otherwise to see what happens next. The last World Cup was a cracker, which was a surprise to mosticluding me, so we will see what transpires next, but it does look like Empire Building in full swing from a distance. Meta bucks and metaphors take your pick.
One of the best things about the World Cup is, or was, when a surprise package appeared or when a (relatively) unknown player made a name for themselves. Maybe this will bring that back. I don't mind the expansion if it means that there are more African and Asian teams involved. It can't be really called a World Cup if its just European and South American teams with only a handful of teams from other places.
Let’s go back to 16 teams, four groups of four then straight to the quarter finals , the way it was was until, I think 1982.
With the same group format , if my arithmetic is correct , it puts it up from 63 to 103 games for the tournament. As much as people love football , maybe just too much ?
