Groups of 3

Scotland still won't make it

With the group stage their is a lot of potential for dead rubbers and , even worse, fixed games to suit both teams.

32 team knockout though, that gets my approval.

Will be hard to schedule it so all teams get a fair rest, I would have thought.

* there ffs.

D'Jeezus, I read that there might be penalty shoot outs for drawn games to avoid fixing in the group stages

I think its a good idea as long as they simplfy the qualifications and have less games.
BUT just do a straight knock out. No seedings, open draw, anyone can draw anyone from the first round.

Also, for me, one of the most interesting things will be how they divvy up the allocations.
Heard 16 UEFA teams, so still 32 places up for grabs.

comment by Faran Van Jiniho (U5318)
posted 1 minute ago
I think its a good idea as long as they simplfy the qualifications and have less games.
BUT just do a straight knock out. No seedings, open draw, anyone can draw anyone from the first round.
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I think that's a bit unfair for the sides who travel all the way to a World Cup and can be eliminated after just
one game. Two games at least allows for a one off shocker

comment by Faran Van Jiniho (U5318)
posted 1 minute ago
I think its a good idea as long as they simplfy the qualifications and have less games.
BUT just do a straight knock out. No seedings, open draw, anyone can draw anyone from the first round.
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No chance. Its a straight up money grab. infantino has said as much himself. They'll want seeding to ensure maximum revenue.

comment by Robb Mkhitaryan (U21234)
posted 2 minutes ago
D'Jeezus, I read that there might be penalty shoot outs for drawn games to avoid fixing in the group stages
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Would that include extra time or straight to pens

comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 2 minutes ago
Also, for me, one of the most interesting things will be how they divvy up the allocations.
Heard 16 UEFA teams, so still 32 places up for grabs.
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They want an increase in Asian and African teams.

Obviously, but 32 places from the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania? An extra 13 teams isn't it?
Look at the teams that didn't qualify last time out and convince me there were 13 from these regions who should be there.

Tournaments should either be composed of 16, 32 or 64 teams to get a simple format.

64 is obviously way too much: 16 groups of 4! So 32 is logical.

This is also why the Euros should have just 16 teams.

Groups of 3 with 2 going through.... Rubbish

Killing the golden goose imo, people will lose interest

That first round actually... If you are a decent, mid level or below country why bother trying to win a game... Just plat for draws and you'll most likely get through

I don't think the groups of 3 are such a bad idea. Reduces the dead rubber games.

The issue will be whether the qualify of football is watered down by including more weaker teams.

As a northern irishman i find it hard to be unbiased in relation to the last, expanded Euros, but I thought the group stages were great. Everything to play for right up until the last match.

comment by Manfrombelmonty (U1705)
posted 23 seconds ago
I don't think the groups of 3 are such a bad idea. Reduces the dead rubber games.

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I think it will go the other way.... Nobody will risk losing... Be duller than italia 90

How the Fack is 3 teams in a group gonna work, the teams won't be able to play at the same time due to there being only 3 teams so surely there be some final dead rubber group games

Round 1 - 16 teams of 3 with two teams to go through
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I think teams of three will really struggle.

So a mock draw, based on seeding and the current FIFA rankings where the top ranked teams from each confederation are qualified, might see groups like this:

Germany----------Costa Rica----------Japan
Belgium-----------Iran--------------------Honduras
France-------------Senegal-------------Australia
Portugal-----------Cote d'Ivoire--------Saudi Arabia
Spain---------------South Korea-------Burkina Faso
Switzerland------Mexico---------------Nigeria
Wales--------------Peru----------------Panama
England-----------Ecuador----------Qatar
Croatia-------------USA---------------Uzbekistan
Poland-------------Tunisia-----------Venezuela
Italy------------------Egypt-------------Haiti
Argentina----------Iceland-----------United Arab Emirates
Brazil----------------Netherlands----Ghana
Chile----------------Ireland------------China
Colombia----- ----Turkey------------New Zealand
Uruguay-----------Slovakia----------Congo DR


(16 UEFA, 5 CONCACAF, 8 CONEMBOL, 1 OFC, 9 CAF, 9 AFC)

(The Americas may have combined qualification for more places)



Maybe by the time 2026 comes round this will look better than it does now.

England-----------Ecuador----------Qatar

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Another embarrassing first round exit for england

Crap idea. Like it was with expanding the Euros.

Euros were great!

comment by The happy gaffer pranks (U6283)
posted 1 hour, 1 minute ago
Scotland still won't make it
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Ridiculous idea to have 48 teams.

comment by Manfrombelmonty (U1705)
posted 2 minutes ago
Euros were great!
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Nah, worst ever.