European Teams at the World cup 2022
Moderators: Moderator Team, phpBB2 - Administrators
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
The top African and Asian teams can compete with the the European and South American teams once you exclude the top 5 or 6 European teams and Brazil/Argentina. Unfortunately the dominance of these 8 teams or so is used to justify the places allocated to European and South American teams. The 48 team format will offer African and Asians teams opportunities to progress to the latter stages, even if from a statistical standpoint alone. We might not yet see much progress in 2026 but it will surely come with more slots.
WOWO = ONO (oh no!) = OBO
WOWO 'We only want Oyinbo'
ONO 'Oyinbo na Oyinbo'
OBO 'Oyinbo be Oyinbo'
WOWO 'We only want Oyinbo'
ONO 'Oyinbo na Oyinbo'
OBO 'Oyinbo be Oyinbo'
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
Contrary to the initial handbagging in round 1, this has been Africa's best performing World cup
For my sceptical Nigerian Friends : Pessimism is great because you are either always right or pleasantly surprised.
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
48 teams is terrible. 16 groups of 3 teams? So many flaws:wazobia wrote: ↑Tue Dec 06, 2022 8:31 pm The top African and Asian teams can compete with the the European and South American teams once you exclude the top 5 or 6 European teams and Brazil/Argentina. Unfortunately the dominance of these 8 teams or so is used to justify the places allocated to European and South American teams. The 48 team format will offer African and Asians teams opportunities to progress to the latter stages, even if from a statistical standpoint alone. We might not yet see much progress in 2026 but it will surely come with more slots.
* you get only 2 games.
* easy for 2 teams to collude.
* sorry you will get some terrible teams that will be waxed and not benefit in any way.
FIFA is effectively killing the WC. Believe me, I am no Europhile, but I hope UEFA quits FIFA, focusing on the European Championship, maybe inviting some top non-European teams. FIFA just wants the $$$...as fans will come and pay even if their teams are not good.
As to Africa, the challenge is indeed to produce 5-6 top teams. Winning more representation ideally from a 32 team tournament. Same with all the federations. Make it a true competition of the best...not a participation weighted tournament.
Just my 2 cents.
Pax Americana...Wither Now?
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
So how will this look like
3 teams of 16 groups, then winner goes to round of 16? or another 4 groups of 4 then 2 for QF etc
I agree this is a nightmare but lets see
3 teams of 16 groups, then winner goes to round of 16? or another 4 groups of 4 then 2 for QF etc
I agree this is a nightmare but lets see
For my sceptical Nigerian Friends : Pessimism is great because you are either always right or pleasantly surprised.
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
Found it
The 48 qualified teams will be split into 16 groups of three
Each team will play two group stage games (down one from three)
The 1st- and 2nd-place finishers in each group to the round of 32
An extra knockout round, the Round of 32, will be created
The knockout round will then continue from the Round of 16 a la previous World Cups
For my sceptical Nigerian Friends : Pessimism is great because you are either always right or pleasantly surprised.
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
akamoke wrote: ↑Wed Dec 07, 2022 10:56 pmFound it
The 48 qualified teams will be split into 16 groups of three
Each team will play two group stage games (down one from three)
The 1st- and 2nd-place finishers in each group to the round of 32
An extra knockout round, the Round of 32, will be created
The knockout round will then continue from the Round of 16 a la previous World Cups
Hmm, this is news to me.

It actually helps if true...but you still get the specter of collusion and only playing 2 games for the loser of the group.
It still sucks. Will water down what was once a great event. I still think keep it to 32 and let teams evolve to justify a total expansion...giving more slots to non-European teams as other federations improve.
Pax Americana...Wither Now?
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
@Wazobia, who are the top African teams? Was it not the King of All Africa that was used as loin cloth by a recently relegated to Nations League B, no continental title since ‘66, England. Fifth in the very same rankings that have Belgium second, it’s safe to say, neither is as the table reads.
The chest beating hubris born of Morocco’s mastery of Allardycian theory is inexplicably going west without a Pet Shop Boy in sight. All the trickery of Voldemort and a varifocaled Harry Potter couldn’t conjure the soaring Super Eagles mirage somehow born of, wait for it, Moroccan endeavour in Qatar. Could the two be anymore Ying and Yang if they were folded into comma-like shapes and painted black and white respectively.
There’s absolutely nothing about what Morocco have achieved that extrapolates to the inglorious big for nothing. No, Morocco do not have the quintessentially “particular type” of African infrastructure, no they don’t effuse the stereotypical pedestrianised, slow coaching, no they don’t endorse the Ponzi scheme approach to hierarchy and governance from the footballing perspective. Yet somehow, in their absolute antonym of the uninvited, is confirmation of the latter’s regality. More “beggin” than Frankie Vialli and the Four Seasons.
Morocco are venturing deep into the belly of the beast, bold and brave, not because they’re African, but because they’re Morocco. If being African brought a cloak of invincibility then the Lions of Terenga, wouldn’t have been ridden rawer than a workhouse wench when the sailors docked.
Morocco by no means are synonymous with all Africa. The continent as a whole has more ground to make to make up than a paddy in a steeplechase. Without the requisite investment, destroy and rebuild, the “uuhmmm” Africa will remain no more than a bucket list fetish, banged good and proper in due course.
That being said, have signed all letters with the prefix Al ever since the fall of Spain. Will add a Waleed before the Amandianeze if they make it past the Brunos.
The chest beating hubris born of Morocco’s mastery of Allardycian theory is inexplicably going west without a Pet Shop Boy in sight. All the trickery of Voldemort and a varifocaled Harry Potter couldn’t conjure the soaring Super Eagles mirage somehow born of, wait for it, Moroccan endeavour in Qatar. Could the two be anymore Ying and Yang if they were folded into comma-like shapes and painted black and white respectively.
There’s absolutely nothing about what Morocco have achieved that extrapolates to the inglorious big for nothing. No, Morocco do not have the quintessentially “particular type” of African infrastructure, no they don’t effuse the stereotypical pedestrianised, slow coaching, no they don’t endorse the Ponzi scheme approach to hierarchy and governance from the footballing perspective. Yet somehow, in their absolute antonym of the uninvited, is confirmation of the latter’s regality. More “beggin” than Frankie Vialli and the Four Seasons.
Morocco are venturing deep into the belly of the beast, bold and brave, not because they’re African, but because they’re Morocco. If being African brought a cloak of invincibility then the Lions of Terenga, wouldn’t have been ridden rawer than a workhouse wench when the sailors docked.
Morocco by no means are synonymous with all Africa. The continent as a whole has more ground to make to make up than a paddy in a steeplechase. Without the requisite investment, destroy and rebuild, the “uuhmmm” Africa will remain no more than a bucket list fetish, banged good and proper in due course.
That being said, have signed all letters with the prefix Al ever since the fall of Spain. Will add a Waleed before the Amandianeze if they make it past the Brunos.
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
It looks like that might change. They are now talking about 12 groups of 4, with top 2 teams and 8 of the 12 third place teams going through to the round of 32akamoke wrote: ↑Wed Dec 07, 2022 10:56 pmFound it
The 48 qualified teams will be split into 16 groups of three
Each team will play two group stage games (down one from three)
The 1st- and 2nd-place finishers in each group to the round of 32
An extra knockout round, the Round of 32, will be created
The knockout round will then continue from the Round of 16 a la previous World Cups
WOWO = ONO (oh no!) = OBO
WOWO 'We only want Oyinbo'
ONO 'Oyinbo na Oyinbo'
OBO 'Oyinbo be Oyinbo'
WOWO 'We only want Oyinbo'
ONO 'Oyinbo na Oyinbo'
OBO 'Oyinbo be Oyinbo'
- Bigpokey24
- Super Eagle
- Posts: 102581
- Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2003 4:58 pm
- Location: Earth
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
this is so much better.... a minimum 8 CAF teams should make the round of 32..watch use have like 4 teams in the Q-finalswazobia wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 6:21 pmIt looks like that might change. They are now talking about 12 groups of 4, with top 2 teams and 8 of the 12 third place teams going through to the round of 32akamoke wrote: ↑Wed Dec 07, 2022 10:56 pmFound it
The 48 qualified teams will be split into 16 groups of three
Each team will play two group stage games (down one from three)
The 1st- and 2nd-place finishers in each group to the round of 32
An extra knockout round, the Round of 32, will be created
The knockout round will then continue from the Round of 16 a la previous World Cups
SuperEagles
© Bigpokey24, most loved on CE
My post are with no warranties and confers zero rights. Get out your feelings
It is not authorized by CyberEagles. You assume all risk for your use.
All rights aren't reserved
© Bigpokey24, most loved on CE
My post are with no warranties and confers zero rights. Get out your feelings
It is not authorized by CyberEagles. You assume all risk for your use.
All rights aren't reserved
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
Mate, I understand how you feel. There are talks now that they might change to 12 groups of 4 teams with with a second round of 32 teams. While everyone talks about more money for FIFA, which is true, the real issue is: Winning more representation in a 32 team tournament is never going to happen, no matter how well teams perform as it will mean taking away spots from others who will fight tooth and nail to keep those spots. I suspect/hope that we will find at the end of the day that expansion will grow the game and make the World Cup feel more like a global event. I hope UEFA does not throw their toys out of the prammate wrote: ↑Wed Dec 07, 2022 8:38 pm48 teams is terrible. 16 groups of 3 teams? So many flaws:wazobia wrote: ↑Tue Dec 06, 2022 8:31 pm The top African and Asian teams can compete with the the European and South American teams once you exclude the top 5 or 6 European teams and Brazil/Argentina. Unfortunately the dominance of these 8 teams or so is used to justify the places allocated to European and South American teams. The 48 team format will offer African and Asians teams opportunities to progress to the latter stages, even if from a statistical standpoint alone. We might not yet see much progress in 2026 but it will surely come with more slots.
* you get only 2 games.
* easy for 2 teams to collude.
* sorry you will get some terrible teams that will be waxed and not benefit in any way.
FIFA is effectively killing the WC. Believe me, I am no Europhile, but I hope UEFA quits FIFA, focusing on the European Championship, maybe inviting some top non-European teams. FIFA just wants the $$$...as fans will come and pay even if their teams are not good.
As to Africa, the challenge is indeed to produce 5-6 top teams. Winning more representation ideally from a 32 team tournament. Same with all the federations. Make it a true competition of the best...not a participation weighted tournament.
Just my 2 cents.
WOWO = ONO (oh no!) = OBO
WOWO 'We only want Oyinbo'
ONO 'Oyinbo na Oyinbo'
OBO 'Oyinbo be Oyinbo'
WOWO 'We only want Oyinbo'
ONO 'Oyinbo na Oyinbo'
OBO 'Oyinbo be Oyinbo'
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
I think other African teams will learn from Morocco’s performance; they have to. It is no longer good enough to go dance azonto at the World Cup; the fans now expect more. I think they will get moreCoach wrote: ↑Wed Dec 07, 2022 11:36 pm @Wazobia, who are the top African teams? Was it not the King of All Africa that was used as loin cloth by a recently relegated to Nations League B, no continental title since ‘66, England. Fifth in the very same rankings that have Belgium second, it’s safe to say, neither is as the table reads.
The chest beating hubris born of Morocco’s mastery of Allardycian theory is inexplicably going west without a Pet Shop Boy in sight. All the trickery of Voldemort and a varifocaled Harry Potter couldn’t conjure the soaring Super Eagles mirage somehow born of, wait for it, Moroccan endeavour in Qatar. Could the two be anymore Ying and Yang if they were folded into comma-like shapes and painted black and white respectively.
There’s absolutely nothing about what Morocco have achieved that extrapolates to the inglorious big for nothing. No, Morocco do not have the quintessentially “particular type” of African infrastructure, no they don’t effuse the stereotypical pedestrianised, slow coaching, no they don’t endorse the Ponzi scheme approach to hierarchy and governance from the footballing perspective. Yet somehow, in their absolute antonym of the uninvited, is confirmation of the latter’s regality. More “beggin” than Frankie Vialli and the Four Seasons.
Morocco are venturing deep into the belly of the beast, bold and brave, not because they’re African, but because they’re Morocco. If being African brought a cloak of invincibility then the Lions of Terenga, wouldn’t have been ridden rawer than a workhouse wench when the sailors docked.
Morocco by no means are synonymous with all Africa. The continent as a whole has more ground to make to make up than a paddy in a steeplechase. Without the requisite investment, destroy and rebuild, the “uuhmmm” Africa will remain no more than a bucket list fetish, banged good and proper in due course.
That being said, have signed all letters with the prefix Al ever since the fall of Spain. Will add a Waleed before the Amandianeze if they make it past the Brunos.
WOWO = ONO (oh no!) = OBO
WOWO 'We only want Oyinbo'
ONO 'Oyinbo na Oyinbo'
OBO 'Oyinbo be Oyinbo'
WOWO 'We only want Oyinbo'
ONO 'Oyinbo na Oyinbo'
OBO 'Oyinbo be Oyinbo'
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
wazobia wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 6:32 pmMate, I understand how you feel. There are talks now that they might change to 12 groups of 4 teams with with a second round of 32 teams. While everyone talks about more money for FIFA, which is true, the real issue is: Winning more representation in a 32 team tournament is never going to happen, no matter how well teams perform as it will mean taking away spots from others who will fight tooth and nail to keep those spots. I suspect/hope that we will find at the end of the day that expansion will grow the game and make the World Cup feel more like a global event. I hope UEFA does not throw their toys out of the prammate wrote: ↑Wed Dec 07, 2022 8:38 pm48 teams is terrible. 16 groups of 3 teams? So many flaws:wazobia wrote: ↑Tue Dec 06, 2022 8:31 pm The top African and Asian teams can compete with the the European and South American teams once you exclude the top 5 or 6 European teams and Brazil/Argentina. Unfortunately the dominance of these 8 teams or so is used to justify the places allocated to European and South American teams. The 48 team format will offer African and Asians teams opportunities to progress to the latter stages, even if from a statistical standpoint alone. We might not yet see much progress in 2026 but it will surely come with more slots.
* you get only 2 games.
* easy for 2 teams to collude.
* sorry you will get some terrible teams that will be waxed and not benefit in any way.
FIFA is effectively killing the WC. Believe me, I am no Europhile, but I hope UEFA quits FIFA, focusing on the European Championship, maybe inviting some top non-European teams. FIFA just wants the $$$...as fans will come and pay even if their teams are not good.
As to Africa, the challenge is indeed to produce 5-6 top teams. Winning more representation ideally from a 32 team tournament. Same with all the federations. Make it a true competition of the best...not a participation weighted tournament.
Just my 2 cents.
I agree with you in spirt. I want this to work, especially in cultivating football excellence and getting fairer representation. I don't want UEFA to pull out like a a ranting kid...but FIFA has a way of screwing this up, as we are discussing.
The 3 team group for me is a show stopper. I like the idea of 12x4 with 32 next round...although my older brains have to dig in.

BTW: even now, I'd have no issue taking 2 slots from Europe to give to CAF and AFC. Off the top of my head, do Wales and Poland merit over Saudi Arabia, Australia, Tunisia, Mexico (ouch CONCACAF)? Probably not.
I just fear a 48 team tourney won't advance football quality, only participation.
Pax Americana...Wither Now?
- Bigpokey24
- Super Eagle
- Posts: 102581
- Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2003 4:58 pm
- Location: Earth
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
only one CAF team has Punished Europe big time in world -c up history
Belgium, Spain, Portugal ...chei
Belgium, Spain, Portugal ...chei
SuperEagles
© Bigpokey24, most loved on CE
My post are with no warranties and confers zero rights. Get out your feelings
It is not authorized by CyberEagles. You assume all risk for your use.
All rights aren't reserved
© Bigpokey24, most loved on CE
My post are with no warranties and confers zero rights. Get out your feelings
It is not authorized by CyberEagles. You assume all risk for your use.
All rights aren't reserved
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
Bigpokey24 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 7:07 pm only one CAF team has Punished Europe big time in world -c up history
Belgium, Spain, Portugal ...chei
Pretty impressive in my book.
Pax Americana...Wither Now?
- Bigpokey24
- Super Eagle
- Posts: 102581
- Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2003 4:58 pm
- Location: Earth
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
and this isn't even the best CAF teammate wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 7:17 pmBigpokey24 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 7:07 pm only one CAF team has Punished Europe big time in world -c up history
Belgium, Spain, Portugal ...chei
Pretty impressive in my book.
SuperEagles
© Bigpokey24, most loved on CE
My post are with no warranties and confers zero rights. Get out your feelings
It is not authorized by CyberEagles. You assume all risk for your use.
All rights aren't reserved
© Bigpokey24, most loved on CE
My post are with no warranties and confers zero rights. Get out your feelings
It is not authorized by CyberEagles. You assume all risk for your use.
All rights aren't reserved
- Scipio Africanus
- Eaglet
- Posts: 28644
- Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2003 7:43 pm
- Location: Cyberspace
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
Who is better than them? Senegal?Bigpokey24 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 7:42 pmand this isn't even the best CAF teammate wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 7:17 pmBigpokey24 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 7:07 pm only one CAF team has Punished Europe big time in world -c up history
Belgium, Spain, Portugal ...chei
Pretty impressive in my book.

376 heavily armed and trained cops in body armor, with APCs, are scared to death of ONE 18-year old with an AR-15
But the general public, with none of those advantages, should not be concerned that 18-year olds can buy AR-15s
- This piece of genius level logic brought to you by American conservatives and the Republican party
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
Mate, if the powers that be at UEFA thought the same way as you do, we might not have ended up with a 48 team World Cupmate wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 6:40 pmwazobia wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 6:32 pmMate, I understand how you feel. There are talks now that they might change to 12 groups of 4 teams with with a second round of 32 teams. While everyone talks about more money for FIFA, which is true, the real issue is: Winning more representation in a 32 team tournament is never going to happen, no matter how well teams perform as it will mean taking away spots from others who will fight tooth and nail to keep those spots. I suspect/hope that we will find at the end of the day that expansion will grow the game and make the World Cup feel more like a global event. I hope UEFA does not throw their toys out of the prammate wrote: ↑Wed Dec 07, 2022 8:38 pm48 teams is terrible. 16 groups of 3 teams? So many flaws:wazobia wrote: ↑Tue Dec 06, 2022 8:31 pm The top African and Asian teams can compete with the the European and South American teams once you exclude the top 5 or 6 European teams and Brazil/Argentina. Unfortunately the dominance of these 8 teams or so is used to justify the places allocated to European and South American teams. The 48 team format will offer African and Asians teams opportunities to progress to the latter stages, even if from a statistical standpoint alone. We might not yet see much progress in 2026 but it will surely come with more slots.
* you get only 2 games.
* easy for 2 teams to collude.
* sorry you will get some terrible teams that will be waxed and not benefit in any way.
FIFA is effectively killing the WC. Believe me, I am no Europhile, but I hope UEFA quits FIFA, focusing on the European Championship, maybe inviting some top non-European teams. FIFA just wants the $$$...as fans will come and pay even if their teams are not good.
As to Africa, the challenge is indeed to produce 5-6 top teams. Winning more representation ideally from a 32 team tournament. Same with all the federations. Make it a true competition of the best...not a participation weighted tournament.
Just my 2 cents.
I agree with you in spirt. I want this to work, especially in cultivating football excellence and getting fairer representation. I don't want UEFA to pull out like a a ranting kid...but FIFA has a way of screwing this up, as we are discussing.
The 3 team group for me is a show stopper. I like the idea of 12x4 with 32 next round...although my older brains have to dig in.
![]()
BTW: even now, I'd have no issue taking 2 slots from Europe to give to CAF and AFC. Off the top of my head, do Wales and Poland merit over Saudi Arabia, Australia, Tunisia, Mexico (ouch CONCACAF)? Probably not.
I just fear a 48 team tourney won't advance football quality, only participation.
WOWO = ONO (oh no!) = OBO
WOWO 'We only want Oyinbo'
ONO 'Oyinbo na Oyinbo'
OBO 'Oyinbo be Oyinbo'
WOWO 'We only want Oyinbo'
ONO 'Oyinbo na Oyinbo'
OBO 'Oyinbo be Oyinbo'
-
- Egg
- Posts: 318
- Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2005 9:50 am
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire have the level to play in a world cup. And they are at home because Africa only have 5 spots for more than 50 countries. A 10% ratio. The ratio for south America is 40%.mate wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 6:40 pmwazobia wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 6:32 pmMate, I understand how you feel. There are talks now that they might change to 12 groups of 4 teams with with a second round of 32 teams. While everyone talks about more money for FIFA, which is true, the real issue is: Winning more representation in a 32 team tournament is never going to happen, no matter how well teams perform as it will mean taking away spots from others who will fight tooth and nail to keep those spots. I suspect/hope that we will find at the end of the day that expansion will grow the game and make the World Cup feel more like a global event. I hope UEFA does not throw their toys out of the prammate wrote: ↑Wed Dec 07, 2022 8:38 pm48 teams is terrible. 16 groups of 3 teams? So many flaws:wazobia wrote: ↑Tue Dec 06, 2022 8:31 pm The top African and Asian teams can compete with the the European and South American teams once you exclude the top 5 or 6 European teams and Brazil/Argentina. Unfortunately the dominance of these 8 teams or so is used to justify the places allocated to European and South American teams. The 48 team format will offer African and Asians teams opportunities to progress to the latter stages, even if from a statistical standpoint alone. We might not yet see much progress in 2026 but it will surely come with more slots.
* you get only 2 games.
* easy for 2 teams to collude.
* sorry you will get some terrible teams that will be waxed and not benefit in any way.
FIFA is effectively killing the WC. Believe me, I am no Europhile, but I hope UEFA quits FIFA, focusing on the European Championship, maybe inviting some top non-European teams. FIFA just wants the $$$...as fans will come and pay even if their teams are not good.
As to Africa, the challenge is indeed to produce 5-6 top teams. Winning more representation ideally from a 32 team tournament. Same with all the federations. Make it a true competition of the best...not a participation weighted tournament.
Just my 2 cents.
I agree with you in spirt. I want this to work, especially in cultivating football excellence and getting fairer representation. I don't want UEFA to pull out like a a ranting kid...but FIFA has a way of screwing this up, as we are discussing.
The 3 team group for me is a show stopper. I like the idea of 12x4 with 32 next round...although my older brains have to dig in.
![]()
BTW: even now, I'd have no issue taking 2 slots from Europe to give to CAF and AFC. Off the top of my head, do Wales and Poland merit over Saudi Arabia, Australia, Tunisia, Mexico (ouch CONCACAF)? Probably not.
I just fear a 48 team tourney won't advance football quality, only participation.
The indomitable lions ; Africa's best team ever.
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
Oh dear. This did not age well.
Undertaker wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 10:08 pm If FIFA still had the World cup at 32 teams, I would have begged them to take two slots away from Africa! We are terrible!
Cameroon, no win since 2002
Tunisia has 2 wins in 6 World Cup appearances
Ghana, the last win was in 2010
Morocco, last win since 1998
- TonyTheTigerKiller
- Eaglet
- Posts: 11089
- Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2003 7:55 pm
Re: European Teams at the World cup 2022
Add South Africa, Mali and Zambia, at least. The barefaced truth is that even 10 guaranteed places will still be too few for a huge footballing continent like Africapanafrican wrote: ↑Sun Dec 11, 2022 5:33 amAlgeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire have the level to play in a world cup. And they are at home because Africa only have 5 spots for more than 50 countries. A 10% ratio. The ratio for south America is 40%.mate wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 6:40 pmwazobia wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 6:32 pmMate, I understand how you feel. There are talks now that they might change to 12 groups of 4 teams with with a second round of 32 teams. While everyone talks about more money for FIFA, which is true, the real issue is: Winning more representation in a 32 team tournament is never going to happen, no matter how well teams perform as it will mean taking away spots from others who will fight tooth and nail to keep those spots. I suspect/hope that we will find at the end of the day that expansion will grow the game and make the World Cup feel more like a global event. I hope UEFA does not throw their toys out of the prammate wrote: ↑Wed Dec 07, 2022 8:38 pm48 teams is terrible. 16 groups of 3 teams? So many flaws:wazobia wrote: ↑Tue Dec 06, 2022 8:31 pm The top African and Asian teams can compete with the the European and South American teams once you exclude the top 5 or 6 European teams and Brazil/Argentina. Unfortunately the dominance of these 8 teams or so is used to justify the places allocated to European and South American teams. The 48 team format will offer African and Asians teams opportunities to progress to the latter stages, even if from a statistical standpoint alone. We might not yet see much progress in 2026 but it will surely come with more slots.
* you get only 2 games.
* easy for 2 teams to collude.
* sorry you will get some terrible teams that will be waxed and not benefit in any way.
FIFA is effectively killing the WC. Believe me, I am no Europhile, but I hope UEFA quits FIFA, focusing on the European Championship, maybe inviting some top non-European teams. FIFA just wants the $$$...as fans will come and pay even if their teams are not good.
As to Africa, the challenge is indeed to produce 5-6 top teams. Winning more representation ideally from a 32 team tournament. Same with all the federations. Make it a true competition of the best...not a participation weighted tournament.
Just my 2 cents.
I agree with you in spirt. I want this to work, especially in cultivating football excellence and getting fairer representation. I don't want UEFA to pull out like a a ranting kid...but FIFA has a way of screwing this up, as we are discussing.
The 3 team group for me is a show stopper. I like the idea of 12x4 with 32 next round...although my older brains have to dig in.
![]()
BTW: even now, I'd have no issue taking 2 slots from Europe to give to CAF and AFC. Off the top of my head, do Wales and Poland merit over Saudi Arabia, Australia, Tunisia, Mexico (ouch CONCACAF)? Probably not.
I just fear a 48 team tourney won't advance football quality, only participation.
Cheers.