World Cup expansion

  • Please bear with us on the new site integration and fixing any known bugs over the coming days. If you can not log in please try resetting your password and check your spam box. If you have tried these steps and are still struggling email [email protected] with your username/registered email address
  • Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!
C19RK73

C19RK73

Red & White army!
Jul 26, 2012
38,653
12,647
113
Sunderland
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
 
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gelders pie, ROKER PARK, The Norton Cat and 1 other person
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 :angel:
 
  • Like
Reactions: DH4, gelders pie, Gil T Azell and 2 others
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: C Montgomery Burns
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FellTop
Gordon Armstrong said:
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 :angel:
Click to expand...
You must log in or register to see images
 
  • Like
Reactions: rooch 3 and FellTop
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back