Yeah, think I was pondering that very point just before we kicked off this one.

Then, I was saying the 3-team group format was laying the groundwork for all kinds of nonsense by the second game, though I've now learnt that this particular method is not finalised (I honestly can't see how it could work, just too many ways to collude).

@casperBGD Also definitely agree Asia getting 33% more slots than S America does seem a bit overrated -- but at the same time, this is AFC slots, I believe, which actually includes almost the entire Middle East (and Australasia). I've been saying for a while there are some Central Asian club outfits just a tick below the likes of Iran and Saudi who probably are at least as good as some UEFA and Concacaf teams (and the fact UEFA actually admitting Kazakhstan who left AFC).

And then apparently Russia is seriously considering to join AFC from UEFA, they'll probably take an extra spot.

It's football gerrymandering and money...