RoystonFoote'snephew Posted November 16, 2021 Report Share Posted November 16, 2021 11 hours ago, WessexPest said: That doesn’t happen in any cup competition. There’s a reason why teams like Ottery St Mary have to jump through many, many hoops before they can even have the “privilege” of facing abject dogs**t like Bristol Rovers. European teams have won each of the past four WCs and nine of the past 14 so it’s not unfair they get more Finals places than Asia and Africa, who have amassed a big, fat lonely zero between them. Agree that expanding the WC is stupid - 32 teams is optimal; both in terms of quality and the mathematics to get down to two finalists with a just round by round exit. But of course FIFA cannot leave it alone just like UEFA with the elephantine European Championship - so hey presto a more drawn out, uninspiring tournament and a qualifying campaign that is like watching paint dry. They hardly have the same opportunities. Not only did they not get qualification at all for many years but now Europe gets 13 guaranteed qualification places from 55 member States (24% chance of qualification) whereas Africa gets 5 from 54 member States and Asia 4 from 47 member States (both 9%). Only South America has better opportunity with 4 guaranteed places from just 10 member States for an incredible 40% chance of qualification. Its all about money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red-Robbo Posted November 16, 2021 Report Share Posted November 16, 2021 1 hour ago, RoystonFoote'snephew said: They hardly have the same opportunities. Not only did they not get qualification at all for many years but now Europe gets 13 guaranteed qualification places from 55 member States (24% chance of qualification) whereas Africa gets 5 from 54 member States and Asia 4 from 47 member States (both 9%). Only South America has better opportunity with 4 guaranteed places from just 10 member States for an incredible 40% chance of qualification. Its all about money. Well, a bit, but the way things are weighted also reflect the relative interest in the sport: South Americans are football-mad, south Asians and those from Oceania, less so. It also reflects the relative strengths of national teams. All the cup winners have come from Europe or South America. That may change, but it's still a way away in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bas's perfect hattrick Posted November 16, 2021 Report Share Posted November 16, 2021 13 hours ago, WessexPest said: That doesn’t happen in any cup competition. There’s a reason why teams like Ottery St Mary have to jump through many, many hoops before they can even have the “privilege” of facing abject dogs**t like Bristol Rovers. European teams have won each of the past four WCs and nine of the past 14 so it’s not unfair they get more Finals places than Asia and Africa, who have amassed a big, fat lonely zero between them. Agree that expanding the WC is stupid - 32 teams is optimal; both in terms of quality and the mathematics to get down to two finalists with a just round by round exit. But of course FIFA cannot leave it alone just like UEFA with the elephantine European Championship - so hey presto a more drawn out, uninspiring tournament and a qualifying campaign that is like watching paint dry. The mathematics of the expanded 48 team WC is the worse for me... The group stages are the best part - where the upsets are made, 3 matches a day and the chance to see some fixtures that aren't normally played. If FIFA really have to expand it, I'd rather they went to 64 teams. Quality will be shit of course, but at least we'd keep the logical format Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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