Organizing new tournaments for the sake of *growing* the sport should be taken seriously. Claims challenged, if possible. If some nations have not qualified to the big dance, then we should not just create bigger dances which dilute the effort of qualifying in the first place. Infantino says that increased WC frequency will help new countries qualify. Is that worth destroying players' physical and mental health? He is currently on tour, collecting biennial WC votes ahead of next FIFA Congress. In his recent stop in Venezuela, he proposed that Conmebol switched to playing 9 qualifying dates into 1 month, allowing a total of 18 matches per qualifying cycle. Which professional player in their right mind would favor such lunacy? Of course, FIFA needs more funds to bribe national FAs; money that we know will not be spent on players' welfare nor sport infrastructure. All in the spirit of *growing* football across the world.
This might not be a popular post. But hopefully the Olympic football format can be changed as well. Would love for it to stop being a u-23 team tournament
Okay, a few years ago I had cited some FIFA study on China's player pool which you had responded to by saying its findings were "debunked" by a later study. A point I didn't pursue at the time in the thread you have linked, since it appears the study or article you had cited was behind some paywall. Now, for whatever reason, that exchange in 2018 had left a far greater impression on you than me, but regardless, thanks for reminding me how I was "caught red-handed pushing a 'study' with made-up numbers". I will try not to do it again and may write FIFA and ask them to not publish studies anyone else can take issue with and to make sure they pull all studies someone has challenged or "debunked" from circulation lest someone else like me is caught "red-handed" pushing it.
I am no fan of the Olympic tournament either, particularly since its not even exactly a u-23 tournament either.
My own experience from the attendance and reaction when Iranian teams visit China, or by the reception to the 2004 Asian Cup in China, is that football is popular enough in China. As you suggest, probably even more popular now than in the past, although no doubt having a side that fails to make much of an impression even in Asia much less-worldwide, dampens some of its appeal for many Chinese. But I am reluctant to cite any studies on the issue since, God forbid, I may come across one challenged elsewhere and will find myself getting caught "red-handed" by @bigsoccertst1 and accused of pushing "made up" numbers.
For the format to be changed, both FIFA and the IOC would have to find common ground to agree on. And I'm not sure that could happen anytime soon. The IOC would probably love to get rid of the U-23 (+ 3 overage) limitations. I doubt FIFA is willing to have it open for all players. Nor is FIFA probably willing to open up an additional "FIFA date" on their calendar every four years requiring clubs to release their players for the tournament. There's also the field of 16 finalists and how that's divided up by regions/Confederations. Expanding the tournament beyond 16 teams would be difficult. Don't forget the Olympics (including the football tournament) are a two week festival where football matches either kick off simultaneously and/or overlap. Turning the Olympic tournament into some type of "world championship" would be tough to sell FIFA on. Strictly my opinion.
I think FIFA should have the Olympic games be an official tournament but it should only be open to players that play in the domestic league of said nation that qualifies. I follow african football. And CAF has this tournament called the African Nations Championship. The only players that are allowed to play are those who play in the local/domestic clubs. This tournament has been going on since 2012 I think and it's part of the FIFA offfical calendar even though the tournament takes place during January/February. The matches in the African Nations championship still count towards rankings however they are still classified as "friendlies" because they don't have the nations best players only the players that participate in the local leagues. Since this tournament has been going on for a bit and FIFA seems to care about it I think that type of Format should be used for the Olympics. Nations in asia, africa, north Americaz, and etc would call up players from their local league. There wouldn't be a need to call up players from foreign leagues. I think that could be a good compromise tbh. And even for the teams in Europe they could call up players from mid table, low table, and 2nd division players. It would way more entertaining than a U-23 tournament.
Interesting idea. Another thing to consider are the cases of the British nations and Ireland. In the Olympics England, Scotland and Wales compete as a unified 'Great Britain' team but they don't send a football squad. Likewise the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, who compete at the Games as a unified 'Ireland' team without football. And I doubt the IOC would allow each of those FIFA nations to compete as separate entities.
Yeah that's one big issue tbh. I mean uefa already has Olympic playoffs if they need it if one of those nations qualify. Plus team gb women did participate in the last Olympics. Plus I've heard that the FAs of the home nations wanted to send a men's team to the Olympics if the chance came. Plus FiFA has stated in the past that team GB men's team could participate if qualified
I would prefer that too; at least winning a medal will pretend to signify something (i.e., having the best u-23 team). But the real problem lies elsewhere: a tournament without real backing from FIFA will run into familiar club v country issues and conflicts. The problem isn't limited to famous European clubs either; typically even dinky Iranian clubs refuse to release their u-23 players for OL training camps and qualifying matches. Elsewhere, even the "u-23" contingent in the Olympics isn't always the best such players for many of the countries involved.
Yeah that's my issue with this U-23 tournament idea. You end up with really poor squads. If it was strictly local players that would be allowed for all ages then you'll see a better team being put out. I mean did you guys see the squad that France put out. I would also have qualification via the contential cups. So it would be similar to the confederations cup format. So there wouldn't need to have Olympic qualification matches.
I am not sure I am in favor of an OL tournament involving players just from domestic leagues either, but if my choices were between what we have now (or even strictly u-23), I would prefer what you have suggested.
I doubt that as the Team GB in the Olympics compete as "Great Britain and Northern Ireland". So far as rugby is concerned, Eire and Northern Ireland compete as one team, and Britain and Ireland compete as one team on tour. The Ireland Rugby Football Union tried to ban its Northern Irish players competing in the Olympics for Team GB but as they're British citizens there's nothing they could do legally to stop them.
Yeah I understand with your concerns. I mean in the end I've always wanted to see Olympic football be changed. And I think the domestic only requirement would work best especially since it wouldn't affect clubs in Europe too much.
The reason that FIFA only agreed to a U23 tournament was that they didn't want to give up any revenue. At the time the WWC didn't make any money. It's more likely that the Women's Olympic soccer will become a U23 event than the men's becomes a second World Cup.
True that is possible especially with how women's football is growing. They could even scrap it who knows. But I would still wanna see the men's format changed though.
I think a straight U21 tournament would be better. The Olympics is supposed to be about youth isn't it?
Ok, I stand corrected. Apparently, athletes from Northern Ireland can choose which Olympic team they wish to represent. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Federation_of_Ireland
We did have one exclusive U23 tournament in 1992 but you're right, the IOC wanted a senior tournament and threatened to remove football and the current system was adopted as a compromise.
And that was a problem for Rory McIlroy, a Catholic who had always been apolitical. Whichever nation he chose could have been seen as a political decision. In the end he chose Ireland based on what would piss off the fewest people.