World Cup Expansion Proposal

[thebeautifulgame]

The proposed 48 team World Cup (16 groups with 3 teams each) has been rejected by the European Club Association, the main reason cited is that there are enough demands on players and that the number of games played presently is at an unacceptable level. Would think that the big European clubs will want to repel the idea as they wouldn't want their star players having to play more games (risking fatigue and injury).
Will be lots of debate no doubt on this topic and though my heart says yes to increased participant countries my head says it would be a failure. In my opinion the standard would drop and there would be more poor to average games and also some heavy drubbings. I can't see the proposal getting any serious backing.
P.S. As a 'Jock' I couldn't see us getting by the Group 1 stage (if by some miracle we qualified). Mind you we could always cheer up and 'party' with our English friends on the flight back.

[PaperScraper]

I lost interest in the world cup when they awarded it to qatar.

[thebeautifulgame]

I lost interest in the world cup when they awarded it to qatar.

Have to admit I think it was a terrible decision by FIFA, so I can understand your view. Infantino may well seek to undo and reform some of Blatter's corrupt work. Getting rid of the Qatar 'vote' would help to get a lot of people back on board. Legally and financially though this may prove difficult.

[God is an Englishman]

If anything the world cup should have less teams in it, not more.

I'd say 16 teams, 4 groups of 4. 6 S American sides, 9 European sides and the other federations play off for the last spot.

[ozzie owl]

No more teams at WC and move it from Qatar.

[God is an Englishman]

No more teams at WC and move it from Qatar.

Should we move it from Russia as well?

[Vuvuzela Heaven]

No. Russia have previously qualified for the tournament.

[Bomber]

No. Russia have previously qualified for the tournament.

Plus they can handle a big event in June/July and provide cheap vodka without getting arrested!

[God is an Englishman]

No. Russia have previously qualified for the tournament.

Plus they can handle a big event in June/July and provide cheap vodka without getting arrested!

Surely the same corruption got them the tournament that got Qatar the event

[Mr Red]

IMO its mainly all about the $$$s it costs a lot to host a WC's every 4 years so I think they want to make the most of their income streams and TV audiences which indirectly help's with the $'s also. More teams mean more games, more exposure, means more dollars.

And it also gives more countries young up and coming players the feeling that they can play at that level one day.

[Bomber]

No. Russia have previously qualified for the tournament.

Plus they can handle a big event in June/July and provide cheap vodka without getting arrested!

Surely the same corruption got them the tournament that got Qatar the event

Could be, although if Blatter was still around, good chance the next WC after would have had North Korea and Syria most likely battling it out (depending who offered the most).

[thebeautifulgame]

No more teams at WC and move it from Qatar.

Should we move it from Russia as well?

Not going to happen though if I were an England supporter I would not wish to go to Russia as I could see lots of serious trouble especially after the Euros. They could also boycott it through protest and stay at home but the 'troublemaker' element will want to travel, or will they? Some of those Russian guys looked like they were out for the weekend! Stay at home and watch it on TV. As for Qatar I could see pressure on FIFA to shift it as it does not make sense.

[God is an Englishman]

Don't worry, any of the "boys"" that can legally travel will be there.

[Bomber]

Don't worry, any of the "boys"" that can legally travel will be there.

"legally" being the pertinent point as is often the case with the Brits.........

[God is an Englishman]

Don't worry, any of the "boys"" that can legally travel will be there.

"legally" being the pertinent point as is often the case with the Brits.........

?

[Old Master]

A lot of people in the sporting media are saying that the cost of hosting the Olympics is becoming prohibitive and it should be, in future, based in the country that first introduced it, Greece.

Perhaps the same could be said about the World Cup, as England invented the game in it's modern format, perhaps the tournament should be played in England, or the UK as a whole, in future.

At least the UK has more than enough stadiums capable of hosting World Cup crowds, is relatively politically stable, reasonably safe to traverse, has decent public transport, some decent hotels and places to visit in between matches and the people are definitely multi-cultural and most speak English, of some form or another.

[God Tongue]

When did any of the home nations first participate in a world cup? I think Uruguay has a head start on you.

[God is an Englishman]

When did any of the home nations first participate in a world cup? I think Uruguay has a head start on you.

I don't like sticking up for him but he doesn't mention world cup participation.

I'm sure you know the reasons why England didn't participate in the first world cups.

[Grosso]

If anything the world cup should have less teams in it, not more.

I'd say 16 teams, 4 groups of 4. 6 S American sides, 9 European sides and the other federations play off for the last spot.

couldnt agree more

[Bomber]

Yes, lets just have China, USA and Russia in the next Olympics whilst we're at it..........

[God is an Englishman]

Yes, lets just have China, USA and Russia in the next Olympics whilst we're at it..........

1. There are teams/individuals still capable of winning medals in some sports so that's hardly right.

2. If you're going to limit it, wouldn't you allow the team that came 2nd last year into the tournament?

3. I'm not limiting it to 3 countries like you have, I would limit it to 16 countries that would qualify. If you're good enough, you will qualify.

[Bomber]

Yes, lets just have China, USA and Russia in the next Olympics whilst we're at it..........

1. There are teams/individuals still capable of winning medals in some sports so that's hardly right.

2. If you're going to limit it, wouldn't you allow the team that came 2nd last year into the tournament?

3. I'm not limiting it to 3 countries like you have, I would limit it to 16 countries that would qualify. If you're good enough, you will qualify.

If you prefer a South America v Europe tournament, then call it that, not a world cup. Or is it the fear factor of "minnows" knocking off a "big country" more your issue?
See who made the FIFA club final this year?

[God is an Englishman]

Yes, lets just have China, USA and Russia in the next Olympics whilst we're at it..........

1. There are teams/individuals still capable of winning medals in some sports so that's hardly right.

2. If you're going to limit it, wouldn't you allow the team that came 2nd last year into the tournament?

3. I'm not limiting it to 3 countries like you have, I would limit it to 16 countries that would qualify. If you're good enough, you will qualify.

If you prefer a South America v Europe tournament, then call it that, not a world cup. Or is it the fear factor of "minnows" knocking off a "big country" more your issue?
See who made the FIFA club final this year?

It wouldn't be a South America v Europe competition it would still be the best in the world.

Would this suit you better?

1 x Asian
1 x Oceania
1 x African
1 x North America
7 x Europe
5 x S America

[Knight15]

The format is good as it is. Having been to the last 3 World Cups, there are rarely any 'blow outs', the countries can generally cope and the interest level is still very high

Having said that, I will go to Russia (only if Australia or if I dare to dream Scotland) qualify as I believe the Russians will do a good job

I won't go to Qatar - although I agree with GIAE, both bids were beyond corrupt, Russia at least has the ability to host the tournament - Qatar doesn't make sense on any level

[Bomber]

Would this suit you better?

1 x Asian
1 x Oceania
1 x African
1 x North America
7 x Europe
5 x S America

This looks almost like the 1974 World Cup.

That said, there is one too many from South America for mine, and Oceania wouldn't get an auto spot

[God is an Englishman]

Would this suit you better?

1 x Asian
1 x Oceania
1 x African
1 x North America
7 x Europe
5 x S America

This looks almost like the 1974 World Cup.

That said, there is one too many from South America for mine, and Oceania wouldn't get an auto spot

Why would oceania not get a spot?

is it the fear factor of "minnows" knocking off a "big country"?

[Bomber]

Would this suit you better?

1 x Asian
1 x Oceania
1 x African
1 x North America
7 x Europe
5 x S America

This looks almost like the 1974 World Cup.

That said, there is one too many from South America for mine, and Oceania wouldn't get an auto spot

Why would oceania not get a spot?

is it the fear factor of "minnows" knocking off a "big country"?

Play off like they currently do would seem fair based on 16 teams.

[God is an Englishman]

Why would oceania not get a spot?

is it the fear factor of "minnows" knocking off a "big country"?

Play off like they currently do would seem fair based on 16 teams.[/quote]

Why wouldn't they get an automatic spot like the others would?

[Bomber]

They could, just an opinion. To me 50% of all of South America is too many, that's all, so take one spot away from them and could have "half" from Oceania and "half" from Africa or Asia instead.
EG:
7 from Europe
4 South America
1.5 Asia
1.5 Africa
1 or 1.5 CONCACAF
0.5 or 1 Oceania

I wouldn't seed teams either - random draw each group.

[God is an Englishman]

They could, just an opinion. To me 50% of all of South America is too many, that's all, so take one spot away from them and could have "half" from Oceania and "half" from Africa or Asia instead.
EG:
7 from Europe
4 South America
1.5 Asia
1.5 Africa
1 or 1.5 CONCACAF
0.5 or 1 Oceania

I wouldn't seed teams either - random draw each group.

I don't understand why you would randomly pick one confederation and not give them a spot. Also, if you're going to take a spot away from S America then I would give it to Europe.