Re: Sportsbet.io's FIFA World Cup 22 Prediction Pool Discussion thread
The problem of the new format is if you increase teams above an useful number of 32 teams where we have proper group stage / round of 16 / quarter and semifinals, it's getting a huge mess if it's done for 48 teams.
I can understand that increasing limits to 48 countries is better for small countries to be a participant of the World Cup and even surprises (like Morocco) can happen more likely, where a less popular team has a streak of some good matches (as it's often happening for national leagues in the first 4 or 5 games, where we'll se unusual teams on a good position in the table). But after all, messing up the World Cup procedure will make it also less prestigious to qualify for such a 48 teams World Cup.
There are always good an interesting teams coming from Africa.
There are indeed some good teams from South America, it's sad we still don't see more from that continent.
I can understand that increasing limits to 48 countries is better for small countries to be a participant of the World Cup and even surprises (like Morocco) can happen more likely, where a less popular team has a streak of some good matches (as it's often happening for national leagues in the first 4 or 5 games, where we'll se unusual teams on a good position in the table). But after all, messing up the World Cup procedure will make it also less prestigious to qualify for such a 48 teams World Cup.
Same about Africa. Maybe Algeria or Nigeria, but in general, with all respect, African teams usually end tournament after group stage and Morocco performance was exception from rule.
Africa is a country of many countries and while some African teams have left the World Cup early, Africa is still under-performing in my opinion. Mané from Senegal is injured, Mo Salah from Egypt hasn't been part of this World Cup and Tunisia was able to beat France. And in the past teams like Cote Ivoire (Drogba) have also been interesting teams. In my opinion, Africa deserves to have some more spots. There are always good an interesting teams coming from Africa.
South America will go from 4,5 (4 secured and one through additional qualifications with Oceania) to 6 secured and 1/3 (qualification from 6 teams for 2 spots) and Asia will go from 4,5 to 8 secured and 1/3 through qualification
and one can guess that Asian football is above South American (irony)
Good point, FIFA strikes again.. and one can guess that Asian football is above South American (irony)
There are indeed some good teams from South America, it's sad we still don't see more from that continent.