Crazy https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67010609
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Bizarre.
I think FIFA are at risk of messing with the world cup at their peril. Increasing teams to 48 will inevitably impact the average quality of games and risks more mismatches.
And this is truly bizarre
As usual, no thought given to the fans having to traipse across continents to watch their team. All about the greed.
No need for us Welsh to worry.Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain_Sensible
We'll be unintentionally boycotting due to Pagey.
I think the reasoning for going to Uruguay, Argentina and (slightly more weirdly) Paraguay is political not greed, but the whole thing is weird and as you say no thought given to travelling fans as clearly three sets of teams will have to travel there.
Infantino has said the reasons are to bring football world together and a celebration of South America hosting the first World Cup.Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesWales
I'd prefer if he had actually been honest and said they're going for South American beak and prostitutes.
Just stupid.
It's not a tournament, just an extension of the knock out stages..Quote:
Originally Posted by 2b2bdoo
That's the risk isn't it. It devalues the tournament. It's like saying the premier League is now for 50 clubs and pretending it's the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by A Quiet Monkfish
That said, I don't think the Euros going from 16 to 24 has damaged it, and there is a historical unbalance in world football in terms of how many teams qualify. But I'm certain the 48 team tournament will be devalued a little.
And how much will the bloody sticker albums cost to complete?!
Further cheapens the international game.
The increase to 48 teams has already been agreed for USA/Mexico/Canada 2026.Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesWales
Yeah I know. A mistake I think. Too big a jump. I know it needs to fit in with the numbers needed for second rounds, quarter finals etc but still.Quote:
Originally Posted by cyril evans awaydays
Panini shares to the moon :hehe:Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesWales
my daughter completed the last book ( Wales 1st WC etc etc ), I hate to think what we spent, I then had to order direct from them, had to make 3 orders from them in the end :angry:, did manage to sell the spares on eBay, so made a little back
Ridiculous.
While we are all getting ready for electric travel Infantino has football fans flying all over the place.
Football-wise, as has been said, I'm not sure we should be getting too excited about going.
That's a very good point - I hadn't thought of that!Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesWales
The level of talent in Europe is far higher. Even the last Euros you had the likes of Norway, Ireland and Serbia missing out, they're better than a lot of the teams who'll reach the next World CupQuote:
Originally Posted by JamesWales
According to Fifa's rules, a continent can't host the next 2 World Cups so this bid would wipe out Europe, South America and Africa for the next 2 World Cups. The USA/Canada/Mexico bid wipes out North America for 2030 and 2034 leaving just Asia and Oceania (which doesn't include Australia in its confederation anymore I believe) able to bid for the 2034 World Cup.
Coincidentally Saudi Arabia just announced their bid for the 2034 World Cup...
We knew it was coming, a nice few trips for FIFA and its crowd, World cups in the bag for themQuote:
Originally Posted by City123
It has always been that way.Quote:
Originally Posted by City123
Depending on where you are in the world geographically you only play teams close by, even if they are all shite.
The way Infantino is carrying on they might as well scrap the regional qualifying groups and have a world draw!
Another stupid winter, human rights busting world cup coming up.Quote:
Originally Posted by City123
It's like they're trying to make the worst decision every single time.
Having it in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay would be great, as would Spain, Portugal and maybe even Morocco. Combining them is so stupid.
I quite like it . The opening 3 matches being in South America hardly really upsets the rest of the tournament. As for the other '2 continents', Morocco is pretty close to Spain and Portugal to be fair, the fact it's in another continent is pretty academic
It does if you are one of the “lucky” teams who has to play there. Either fly across the world or only get to see 2 group games.
As others have said, being cynical you’d say it’s a setup for the Saudis to be the only game in town for the next one. Expect the Aussies to be paid off in one form or another as they are the other who have said they might be interested.
brown envelopes
Cannot disagree with any of this, including the choice of photo.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The biggest stitch-up in sports history. With Australia out of the way, with no debate, no vote, but plenty of backroom deals, Infantino's Fifa will hand out the 2034 WC to Saudi Arabia today. Shame on the FAs enabling this, France, England & Home Nations very much included. <a href="https://t.co/GLGy0hmy1I">pic.twitter.com/GLGy0hmy1I</a></p>— Philippe Auclair (@PhilippeAuclair) <a href="https://twitter.com/PhilippeAuclair/status/1719287327216783851?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Scandalous and shocking, even though expected.
What a massive coincidence that the exact situation everybody expected has come to pass. Totally above board no doubt.
I wonder if Saudi will agree for alcohol to be sold just to pull it at the last minute.
The really sad part of this is FIFA is akin to a mafia family in how they go about their business, yet you can guarantee nobody in the 'football world', including media, TV companies etc., will say anything against it..