I think Duff's punditry is top drawer.
Well, again seeing it from the perspective of non-European nations, UEFA has 55 members. That's about a quarter of the nations that are affiliated with FIFA. Why should Europe get half the slots available at a World Cup when they only represent a quarter of the countries?I think with the expansion to 48 you could leave them all with a chance, indeed a better chance than now. 24 European teams would mean 24 non-Europeans as opposed to 18 at the moment, while also having much more balance in my opinion.
I was put out over that, too, but I think he says really perceptive things, and puts the boot in like the best of them.He's on my shit list as he turned us down years ago.
How is that different than now?But from the perspective of those who aren't European, it may look like the World Cup is being turned into a tournament in which Europe (along with a couple of South American countries), compete amongst themselves, with the other nations brought in just to provide cannon fodder.
That's already what it is though. How many teams outside Europe and South America manage to make the semi-finals? The Africans get five places despite never reaching the last four, the Asians as far as I can recall only managed it while hosting, and North America's odds don't look good either - we often get a single quarter finalist from those three continents combined. Frankly a lot of them have severe corruption and interference issues which means no amount of investment or places is going to change that. Adding yet more of them - teams even worse than this Saudi side (the next best Asian team who didn't make it is Syria) - is just going to result in very predictable and boring group stages.Well, again seeing it from the perspective of non-European nations, UEFA has 55 members. That's about a quarter of the nations that are affiliated with FIFA. Why should Europe get half the slots available at a World Cup when they only represent a quarter of the countries?
I do understand the quality argument and do agree with it to an extent. But from the perspective of those who aren't European, it may look like the World Cup is being turned into a tournament in which Europe (along with a couple of South American countries), compete amongst themselves, with the other nations brought in just to provide cannon fodder.
Well, again seeing it from the perspective of non-European nations, UEFA has 55 members. That's about a quarter of the nations that are affiliated with FIFA. Why should Europe get half the slots available at a World Cup when they only represent a quarter of the countries?
I do understand the quality argument and do agree with it to an extent.But from the perspective of those who aren't European, it may look likethe World Cup isbeing turned intoa tournament in which Europe along with a couple of South American countries, compete amongst themselves, with the other nations brought in just to provide cannon fodder.
How is that different than now?
That's already what it is though. How many teams outside Europe and South America manage to make the semi-finals? The Africans get five places despite never reaching the last four, the Asians as far as I can recall only managed it while hosting, and North America's odds don't look good either - we often get a single quarter finalist from those three continents combined. Frankly a lot of them have severe corruption and interference issues which means no amount of investment or places is going to change that. Adding yet more of them - teams even worse than this Saudi side (the next best Asian team who didn't make it is Syria) - is just going to result in very predictable and boring group stages.
Mark Shattenburg as I like to call him
16 of 48 I believe. I'm more concerned that we're going to see 24 out of 48 sides come from Africa, Asia, NA or New Zealand, compared to 13-15 (normally the lower end of that) from 32 right now. The worst sides from those 13 this year are seriously not very good. Adding in another 11 who are even worse is going to be silly.No, absolutely. I'm not arguing that position myself - I'm just presenting a possible perspective that those outside Europe (+Brazil & Argentina) may take if half the slots are reserved for Europe. But that said, half is too much. If I've understood correctly, 18 of 48 will be reserved for Europe. That's just over a third. That seems about right.
Yeah, I've not been around for a few years. Only came back yesterday.Is it my imagination or have you not been around here for ages?
I mean, we saw with the Euros that there can be huge upsets. Two very small nations made it for the first time, Iceland and Wales. One made the QFs and the other the SF. They beat much more fancied sides, it was exciting. I can't see the weakest sides here replicating that.
Rte2 'pundits' in the studio today.
Damien Duff, Liam Brady and Eamon frickin Dunphy
But then we go back to the problem of the not-very-good countries questioning why they should bother participating if they're penalised for doing so...16 of 48 I believe. I'm more concerned that we're going to see 24 out of 48 sides come from Africa, Asia, NA or New Zealand, compared to 13-15 (normally the lower end of that) from 32 right now. The worst sides from those 13 this year are seriously not very good. Adding in another 11 who are even worse is going to be silly.