‘Right, so what we’re planning to do is have 48 teams in 16 pools of three.’
‘That’s a nice idea, all the kids will get to have a go.’
‘Kids?’
‘Yes, kids. This is a school sports day we’re talking about, no?’
‘Sports day?
‘Yes, sports day. You know, when we play games and get everybody having fun. Teams of three is ideal so nobody feels left out’
‘I think we must be having two different conversations. I don’t know what on earth you’re talking about with all this sports day nonsense.
‘Well what are you talking about’
‘The World Cup!’
This, of course it should hardly need pointing out, is a purely fictional conversation but sometimes fiction would be a good deal easier to believe than fact.
FIFA’s decision, as had been reported a few weeks previously and which came to fruition this week, to expand their flagship event by 50 per cent from 32 to 48 competing nations belongs in a story book, because it shouldn’t be given the time of day in a world where rational thinking exists.
The peak of the world’s most popular sport, the tournament which has for years stood as the ultimate footballing prize, being diluted at the altar of money-grabbing by a gaggle of corporate flunkies is sad to witness.
But the most depressing thing about it is the complete and utter lack of surprise.
This is an organisation which has happily waded in the filth of corruption for many a year while all the time claiming those on the outside are sorely mistaken.
Where a high-ranking executive can buy a flat for his pets, where another can launder money through shopping developments and, this has to be the best of all, where the collective can award their crown jewel to a country only second to the sun in terms of heat.
So brazen, so overt and so thoroughly stupid that heavens knows how they have been allowed to get away with it but get away with it they have.
And now we have the successor to Sepp Blatter, Gianni Infantino, deciding that the best way to curry favour, sorry, I mean spread the gospel, is to make a mockery of the big one.
So when 2026 comes around, we can expect a mammoth event with an interminable number of group games (plenty of which will be dead rubbers given the thin spread of ability between the protagonists), the possibility of penalty shoot outs (Infantino’s idea you won’t be surprised to hear) and a competition that will only give more credence to the increasingly powerful club game.
What should be a gathering of the world’s best will now be a party where kids who aren’t allowed to drink are invited and nick all the chips.
It won’t be bad news for a number of nations who will now have the opportunity to dine at the top table but the World Cup shouldn’t be like this, it should be a meeting of the best teams the planet has to offer.
And no doubt it will be but you’ll have to trudge through the schedule-filling mire to get to that point.
So plenty of cons and not one redeeming feature.
But hang on, how foolish of me. How can I miss the very obvious fact that this tournament will generate a huge increase in turnover and profit.
Sorry about that.
BrainsTrust
Guest
I think the Australian tax payer would be stupid to pay for all these stadiums and not take the full economic benefit from them through a world cup if it was on offer. If Australia had run down stadiums like Brazil then it would be incredibly stupid to bid for a world cup. Even know we see the amazing spectacle of ANZ stadium which could last for another hundred years being replaced by a billion dollar effort for no reason, another billion in Perth. Australia is now building the stadiums, and have the transport links and modern airports. Brazil had none of those, South Africa had very little , even Germany was nowhere near the position which Australia will be in. The 48 team format is the final piece in the puzzle, because it makes sense then to utilise all the 30k+ stadiums. I would say Australia should bid for a world cup with its upcoming infrastructure and see if its succesfull. The US did a world cup with exisitng NFL stadiums even though the fields were below minimum size. Sport calendars are changed all the time, the least of the worries should be catering to existing sport calendars like they are sacred. Look at what happened to the Sheffield SHield. A bit of gymnastics which will be a one off will not affect anyone. Didn;t they have to do it for the cricket world cup recently.
Alec Swann
Expert
Thanks for the response, I've found it quite interesting to read through the contrasting views this issue has generated. I certainly think that there could be a more balanced spread of qualifiers from the various confederations and less of a lean towards Europe and South America. But this smacks of expansion for the sake of it. Every country has the opportunity to qualify and if reform is to happen then this would be a good place to start. I'd like to think the reasons behind it are of the sporting variety but I'm not convinced.
matth
Guest
I seriously doubt that was a factor, although I hear they are very worried about the rise of curling.
matth
Guest
If we can;t make top 8 in Asia we don't deserve to qualify
matth
Guest
The great thing Geoff, is that now we will find out, won't we.
matth
Guest
Yes, but the rankings will only be fair if there is a proper league where all nations get to play an equal amount against other top nations. So when the European nations play each other it's a self fulfilling prophecy.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Only for cities/countries with sporting competitions that would benefit from having quite a number of large capacity, high quality stadiums being built/renovated. Which simply proves my point, doesn't it?
anon
Guest
Nearly 6 billion people live in Asia and Africa, yet they are only represented by 9/10 of the 32 teams. In 10 years time that number might be 7 billion. Well done to FIFA for getting something right and disposing of an ugly, irrelevant, Eurocentric view of the world.
Perry Bridge
Guest
#Brains Trust "Australia should be one of the few hosting, having spent billions on new stadiums" Well - having seen how FIFA can change rules on the run with allowing Qatar firstly to bid and then to win - Australia could perhaps host, only thing is now I wouldn't see it happening with quite the heavy hand that was predicted back in 2009 when all the talk was of shutting down all local opposition and having 100% access to stadiums etc. If Australia were to host it then I'd suggest, depending upon timings - that rival codes will keep on playing and the MCG, Gabba, Suncorp etc would not be handed over 100% to FIFA. Simply because - if FIFA can 'flex' enough on its rules to allow Qatar to host then FIFA can flex enough to allow a FIFA WC to 'fit in' to the Australian sporting calendar rather than obliterate it.
Sydneysider
Guest
"Asia is the future, this century will see world power shift to Asia" Anon, finally a comment I agree with.
punter
Guest
BINGO!!!
Michael
Guest
"I really dont understand the issue here." said Jack Think about it for a moment Jack, from the perspective of the biggest whingers who just happen to be AFL, Cricket and League fans and the answer will naturally announce itself to you. That answer is called FEAR
punter
Guest
Well done Waz, well said.
Michael
Guest
And to shut the door on AFL and Cricket. who have been eyeing off expansion on FIFA's turf.
Mark
Guest
I think you will see Brazil and Argentina selling qualifiers overseas, like they have friendlies in recent years, to maintain revenue. With Asia, it would be like the first (or, technically, the second) stage of the current qualification. Sure, we had to top our group to be assured of going through, but with the other teams in our group we really should have had no problems doing so.
Michael
Guest
Did anybody actually watch the Cockroach and Thugby League WC's?? From memory the 2015 'ASIAN' Football Championships had higher average attendances than the Cockroach 'WORLD CUP' got whilst held at about the same time in this country! We won't embarass the thugby league WC any further by talking about their paltry figures.
Michael
Guest
"Twelve more teams are added. However, will that attract more TV advertisements and make higher viewing rate?" Errr the answer to your musing is YES and by a huge increase! The cumulitve world viewing figures will be staggering!
Michael
Guest
Then it's simple...........just don't watch it go back to watching cockroach, err sorry cricket
Mark
Guest
Top quality contribution, Michael. Got any more brainwaves you'd like to share?
Michael
Guest
Great idea! Just like the Aussie Rules, Cricket and RL WCs!