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WC 2022 Qatar

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Posted July 20, 2022 02:21 · last edited July 20, 2022 02:22

coochiee
morgenstern12
mrsmiis
FIFA considering ditching the proposed 3-team group format for 2026, reverting to twelve groups of four. Fantastic news for us - three guaranteed games instead of just two if we win OFC. More of an authentic World Cup experience
  then a round of 32?

You'd think so though that will lead to the last remaining 4 teams (the finalists, plus 3rd/4th playoff) playing 8 games in total. 1 game more than now, and not something UEFA/clubs want.

Basically a 48 team WC, no matter what format FIFA chooses, creates all sorts of issues.

Having 16 groups with only 3 teams per group, greatly increases the chance that 2 teams in a group could collude, and unfairly prevent the 3rd team getting through. Talk that in the group phase, any draw in NT with be followed by a pen shootout, to reduce possible collusion!! So gimmick in the US's MLS Next Pro comp, a possible forerunner.

https://www.quora.com/Why-wont-FIFA-group-a-48-team-World-Cup-into-12-groups-of-4

First, due to objection of some national associations (especially in Europe) if the number of matches for one team is increase. With the current number is 7 to reach the final, any proposal must be equal or less than that limit. With 12 group of 4, the only way to keep this “magic number” is to maintain the 16-team knock-out round. Which mean, you can only have 12 group winner plus 4 runner-up to qualify. As in every group there could possibly 3 teams eliminate, there will be a lot of dead rubber.

Second, the number must be feasible for scheduling. Currently, the 32-team format require 32 days to finish. Also, except for final group day, there must not be any match that play at the same time at other match (in order word, maximum 3 matches per day). If you expand 4 more groups, the tournament must finish longer to accommodate that, or you have to scramble these groups into existing schedule, which is not good for hosting and broadcasting.

Third, the number must be feasible for hosting. Currently, there are about 11-12 venues for hosting the World Cup, which mean average 5 match/venue. The reason to keep this ration is to maintain the quality of the pitch and to make logistic work possible. With the 3 team 16 groups, the number of match is 80, which mean 15–17 venues needed (which is possible). With the 4 team 12 group, even if we only have 16-team knock-out tournament, there are already 96 matches, which mean 20 venues needed (which is impossible for most of countries). Otherwise, you have to organise more match in one stadium, which is hard for other logistic work.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/11/upshot/why-groups-of-3-will-ruin-the-world-cup-so-enjoy-this-one.html

If you’re a World Cup aficionado, you may want to take the time to savor this one, because it may be the last version with a format — groups of four teams — that has a fair and consistently exciting opening phase.

The new opening format — two teams advancing from groups of three in an expanded 48-team field in 2026, and possibly as soon as the next World Cup in 2022 — raises a very serious issue: The risk of collusion will be much higher.
There was a hint of that in yesterdays Womens World Cup Qualifier between Western Samoa and Cook Islands.  93rd minute Cook Islands are down 1-0 and their goalkeeper is dribbling the ball back to the goal line soaking up time.  The 1-0 scoreline being a score that guarantees both teams to progress as the 1st 2 from a group of 3. 

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Unknown editor edited July 20, 2022 02:22
coochiee
morgenstern12
mrsmiis
FIFA considering ditching the proposed 3-team group format for 2026, reverting to twelve groups of four. Fantastic news for us - three guaranteed games instead of just two if we win OFC. More of an authentic World Cup experience
  then a round of 32?

You'd think so though that will lead to the last remaining 4 teams (the finalists, plus 3rd/4th playoff) playing 8 games in total. 1 game more than now, and not something UEFA/clubs want.

Basically a 48 team WC, no matter what format FIFA chooses, creates all sorts of issues.

Having 16 groups with only 3 teams per group, greatly increases the chance that 2 teams in a group could collude, and unfairly prevent the 3rd team getting through. Talk that in the group phase, any draw in NT with be followed by a pen shootout, to reduce possible collusion!! So gimmick in the US's MLS Next Pro comp, a possible forerunner.

https://www.quora.com/Why-wont-FIFA-group-a-48-team-World-Cup-into-12-groups-of-4

First, due to objection of some national associations (especially in Europe) if the number of matches for one team is increase. With the current number is 7 to reach the final, any proposal must be equal or less than that limit. With 12 group of 4, the only way to keep this “magic number” is to maintain the 16-team knock-out round. Which mean, you can only have 12 group winner plus 4 runner-up to qualify. As in every group there could possibly 3 teams eliminate, there will be a lot of dead rubber.

Second, the number must be feasible for scheduling. Currently, the 32-team format require 32 days to finish. Also, except for final group day, there must not be any match that play at the same time at other match (in order word, maximum 3 matches per day). If you expand 4 more groups, the tournament must finish longer to accommodate that, or you have to scramble these groups into existing schedule, which is not good for hosting and broadcasting.

Third, the number must be feasible for hosting. Currently, there are about 11-12 venues for hosting the World Cup, which mean average 5 match/venue. The reason to keep this ration is to maintain the quality of the pitch and to make logistic work possible. With the 3 team 16 groups, the number of match is 80, which mean 15–17 venues needed (which is possible). With the 4 team 12 group, even if we only have 16-team knock-out tournament, there are already 96 matches, which mean 20 venues needed (which is impossible for most of countries). Otherwise, you have to organise more match in one stadium, which is hard for other logistic work.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/11/upshot/why-groups-of-3-will-ruin-the-world-cup-so-enjoy-this-one.html

If you’re a World Cup aficionado, you may want to take the time to savor this one, because it may be the last version with a format — groups of four teams — that has a fair and consistently exciting opening phase.

The new opening format — two teams advancing from groups of three in an expanded 48-team field in 2026, and possibly as soon as the next World Cup in 2022 — raises a very serious issue: The risk of collusion will be much higher.
 There was a hint of that in yesterdays Womens World Cup Qualifier between Samoa and Cook Islands.  93rd minute Cook Islands are down 1-0 and their goalkeeper is dribbling the ball back to the goal line soaking up time.  The 1-0 scoreline being a score that guarantees both teams to progress as the 1st 2 from a group of 3.