Qualification isn't the justification for UEFA having such large share though, team strength and performance at the WC is. Don't get me wrong though, I do think that the intercontinental play-offs should be bigger. I have been arguing for something like having 16 direct spots and then another 16 from a play-off. Would allow all confederations to have the possibility to get more participants at the WC than they do with the current allocation if they perform well enough in the play-offs. Of course there would also be a risk that they would get fewer if they aren't competitive (which usually is where people starts to object). European clubs might not like it but UEFA and European NT's would love it.
You are correct sir. Nov 2001: Ireland beat Iran. Iran traveled twice. Both matches were 5 days apart.
As I alluded to in a previous post what I would do is play the games at the site of the World Cup/Neutral site in a one game type of do -or-die format. Similar to what will happen in 2026 but the match ups would be much more exciting.
You mean use host stadiums for intercontinental playoffs before construction work has finished? Playoffs must end before the WC draw happens, too.
The way I see things going the World Cup is going to be played in places that have stadiums either already built or built by the November playoff dates. If hypothetically there is a weird Qatar like situation then the USA, China or whoever else wants to host can host. FIFA can make money that way too by selling the hosting rights to the highest bidders.
However, TV rights for intercontinental playoffs are currently managed by national FAs, not by FIFA. That plan would require that TV rights revenue be surrendered by playoff contenders. More importantly, their local fans would be deprived of supporting their squad thru the last qualification stage. Such mini-tournament seems prohibitive to fans, and less economically attractive for playoff participants.
FIFA is already going to have playoffs on a neutral site starting in 2026 so the issues you bring up are not much of an issue to me. Where there is a will there is a way. It is supposed to be my personal ideal World Cup format anyway not something that is realistic or that has to be explained.
Cool. I guess we will have to wait how that goes. Too bad for local fans though. FIFA might be screwing the pooch on that one.
I think 32 teams with the following slot allocation is the best in terms of sporting perspective and quality: Host: 1 AFC & OFC: 3 (AFC and OFC should be one continent where the top team of OFC participates in the final round of AFC WCQs) CAF: 4 CONCACAF: 2 UEFA: 13 CONMEBOL: 4 Play off slots (Teams from the same continent should not face each other in the play off): AFC & OFC: 3 CAF: 3 CONCACAF: 3 CONMEBOL: 1
Just thought I'd tweak this format. 32 teams (with qualification shortened somehow) 1 Host 15 UEFA 3.5 AFC 0.5 OFC (play-off with AFC) 4.5 CAF 2.5 CONCACAF (play-off with CAF) 5 CONMEBOL 16 knock-out ties (15 Uefa v 15 others/1 Conmebol v CAF) with golden goal (extra 3 subs for e.t./5 penalties) 4 groups of 4 quarter finals (extra 3 subs for e.t./full team 5 penalties/6 run-up shots) semi-finals (extra 3 subs for e.t./full team 5 penalties/ 6 run up shots) final (extra 3 subs for e.t./full team 5 penalties/ 6 run up shots) VAR or something similar in use. My 2018 World Cup would have looked like this: Russia v Saudi Arabia Germany v South Korea Brazil v Serbia Portugal v Morocco Argentina v Nigeria Belgium v Panama Poland v Japan France v Australia Spain v Iran Peru v Denmark Switzerland v Costa Rica England v Tunisia Colombia v Senegal Mexico v Sweden Uruguay v Egypt Croatia v Iceland Group A Russia Croatia South Korea Uruguay Group B Brazil Portugal Sweden Spain Group C Argentina Belgium England Switzerland Group D Poland France Denmark Colombia Quarters: Croatia v Spain Uruguay v Brazil England v France Belgium v Colombia
40 teams with 10 groups 2 from each groups advance You have 20 teams left. You have 2 knockouts round so you have 5 teams left. And they meet each other and the Winner wins World cup. 2 more matches if you advance to the last group. You get Everything groups knockouts And a serie! Host 1 South America 6 Europé 15,5 OFC 0,5 Africa 7,5 Asia 6 Concacaf 3,5
2 more matches for the teams. Because you cant have more knockout rounds with 5 teams. Ok the 6 best runners up advance and we have round of 16 etc.