We Are The Reds

https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... -plan-2026

Well that was unexpected, we at least for me anyway.

It looks like this will be huge for Asia. I think FIFA know they are missing out with China and the Middle East generally not being involved.

If as planned with 16 groups of three I think it could still be quite interesting. As mentioned in the article quite often in groups of 4 there are a few dead rubbers which are usually boring games.

But 48 does seem like a ridiculously large amount of newbies entering.

Not if you look at it as a 48 team qualifying stage with 16 groups (albeit played in one location) followed by a finals of 32 teams, straight knock out competition. And contrary to common belief the reality is that not too many (if any) minnows are going to qualify for the 48.

Not if you look at it as a 48 team qualifying stage with 16 groups (albeit played in one location) followed by a finals of 32 teams, straight knock out competition. And contrary to common belief the reality is that not too many (if any) minnows are going to qualify for the 48.

Yeah I think expansion isn't the worst idea.
If we look at Europe and South America quite often some decent nations like Serbia, Croatia, Wales, Paraguay and of course Uruguay (he he) miss out.

I don't understand why so many people are so against it. From an Australian football point of view I see it as only being a good thing. Increases our chance to qualify, reduces our chances of drawing a group with 1 or 2 top 10 countries.

The only people complaining are from countries who are regularly represented at the world cup.

People forget that the world cup does not see the best players in the world by default. Take garreth bale as a prime example.

I remember hearing that it will bring much needed money into smaller countries fa's. A country like scotland who are football mad really need this.

What i do not want to see is a bunch of true minnows qualify. Nz and fiji for example.

These extra spots need to be allocated in a way that countries like serbia, greece, scotland, china etc can represent themselves on the world stage because there are so much world class talent that will never see a wc yet leo bertos is a starting wc player.

I really really really hope this will not be a vehicle for uae and qatar to play wc football with their talent they naturalised as teenagers.

Not terrible and not happening for 10 years so I would expect some tweaking.

Maybe a bit of dilution of quality but bottom 16 teams scrapped after playing 2 games so not all bad. Although on the flip-side, some great teams may slip up.

I like the extended knockout nature of it. Will make for some interesting results I think.

Yeah the only potential down side for me is the 3 team group where the top 2 qualify does not really promote attacking football and risk taking. 2 nil all draw will probably get you out of the group.

Crap idea.
Just to make more money for FIFA.

Yeah the only potential down side for me is the 3 team group where the top 2 qualify does not really promote attacking football and risk taking. 2 nil all draw will probably get you out of the group.

Via the lottery of penalties?

There is no pen shoot out in the group stage. Or do you mean something else?

Just saying that 2 nil all draws will often see a team progress to the next stage which does not really encourage a country to attack.

There is a suggestion that there would be no draws in the three team group stage.

But agree with your premise.

Ah had not heard that.

I think thats a terrible idea it gives the small countries even more incentives to play anti football and waste time hoping for penalties.

I probably would have prefered the extra 16 countries play off in a preliminary round prior to the group stage but still apart of the world cup final. The winning countries have the right to enter the next phase as wild card entries. Similar to how its run for grand slam tournament at the tennis.

Ah had not heard that.

I think thats a terrible idea it gives the small countries even more incentives to play anti football and waste time hoping for penalties.

I probably would have prefered the extra 16 countries play off in a preliminary round prior to the group stage but still apart of the world cup final. The winning countries have the right to enter the next phase as wild card entries. Similar to how its run for grand slam tournament at the tennis.

I guess you could almost argue that the group stage is that and then the actual WC is the knock stage of 32 teams.

FFA should consider a return to Oceania, but only if it brings more than Asia

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/f ... trs27.html

I think Cockerill is forgetting one thing. That Australia didn't move to Asia because it was "more likely" to make the WC. I went because the nation was sick on only getting two meaningful WC qualifying matches every 4 years. I think the fact Australia isn't strolling thru to World Cups now is a great thing as it pushes the squad more. So I can't see Oceania ever offering us more than what Asia does. Sure there is the issue of costs. But IMO if you want something that's a higher quality, you need to pay for it.

I love the thought on merging East Asia and Oceania and I think that would be the best case scenario but I think that is probably something only FIFA could bring in if they truly wanted it.