Round ball code talk

[GremioPower]

Its a cash grab

For whom, I wonder…

 

[EskimoPAFC]

There are extra teams, but no extra game. That’s the magic behind the expansion.

You mean groups of 3?

I dont think that will go ahead.

 

[EskimoPAFC]

For whom, I wonder…

The league - they are getting a major cash injection from the NSW government is my understanding.

 

[GremioPower]

You mean groups of 3?

I dont think that will go ahead.

It wouldn’t be the first time. It was used in 1982. (It happened accidentally in 1930 and 1950.)

Groups of 3 is probably what made the decision to expand possible.

 

[GremioPower]

The league - they are getting a major cash injection from the NSW government is my understanding.

In the short term, yes. But it’s probably NOT in favor of the clubs.

 

[EskimoPAFC]

It wouldn’t be the first time. It was used in 1982. (It happened accidentally in 1930 and 1950.)

Groups of 3 is probably what made the decision to expand possible.

Honestly, with 48 sides today it would not work and I think they will come to the same conclusion. The third game will be way too open to manipulation. Its bad enough now - just look at France Tunisia

 

[EskimoPAFC]

Id find 8 groups of 6 entertaining - takes away the luck factor and makes it really tough to get to the last 16.

 

[GremioPower]

Honestly, with 48 sides today it would not work and I think they will come to the same conclusion. The third game will be way too open to manipulation. Its bad enough now - just look at France Tunisia

The third game could be meaningless.

It could be open for “manipulation”, if only one of the teams involved could advance. There’s a way to avoid that.

 

[GremioPower]

Id find 8 groups of 6 entertaining - takes away the luck factor and makes it really tough to get to the last 16.

Too many games, though.

 

[EskimoPAFC]

Too many games, though.

Yep it would make the group stage more like a lead in tournament to the knockouts.

32 really is the ideal sweet spot.

 

[Lagooner]

If you’re going to 48 teams you may as well stretch it to 64. That’s 16 groups of 4 with knockouts starting at the Round of 32.

 

[GremioPower]

If you’re going to 48 teams you may as well stretch it to 64. That’s 16 groups of 4 with knockouts starting at the Round of 32.

That’s my idea. I’ve posted it here somewhere.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

The US could have hosted alone. Mexico, too. FIFA decided for multiple hosts.

I suspect it was a reaction to Russia and Qatar winning in 2010 double vote. US bid lost to Qatar 8-14, so they threatened legal action after the Feds caught all those FIFA crooks in 2015.

I cant remember if the triple hosts won before or after 48 team world cup was announced.

 

[EskimoPAFC]

If you’re going to 48 teams you may as well stretch it to 64. That’s 16 groups of 4 with knockouts starting at the Round of 32.

Brazil vs Solomon Islands sure would be something.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Third place celebrating more than if they finished second.

Odd, but I don't mind it.

Winner takes all attitude of elite sport can sometimes s**t me. Winner takes most, but pay dues to those who challenged them. Especially in a sport like soccer where there can be almost nothing between them. Unlike footy where for instance, Port Adelaide 2021 did not deserve anything, because the nature of the game allows results to be more definitive.

Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using Tapatalk

You obviously don't watch much Olympic team sports.

Every silver medallist I've seen, except for one, are devastated to "win" the silver and the bronze medal winning team are over the moon - see the Boomers in Tokyo for a prime example.

Exception to the rule, when Croatia lost the gold to The US Dream Team in 1992 Olympics by about 35 points. They knew they were never going to win and there was no devastation on their faces.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

 

[Holden Hillbilly]

 

[Lagooner]

Brazil vs Solomon Islands sure would be something.

Wouldn’t happen though. Oceania currently have a 0.5 allocation so if the amount of teams were doubled to 64 they’d only have that upgraded to 1. It’s extremely unlikely that Solomon Islands, as the 141st ranked team, would ever beat New Zealand for that 1 spot.

It’s possible that we’d see a few more smashings but there’s only so many elite teams in the world and I don’t think there’s a massive gulf in the quality of the rest up to a ranking of about 50 or 60-odd. Ghana is ranked 61st atm and they’re pretty handy.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Wouldn’t happen though. Oceania currently have a 0.5 allocation so if the amount of teams were doubled to 64 they’d only have that upgraded to 1. It’s extremely unlikely that Solomon Islands, as the 141st ranked team, would ever beat New Zealand for that 1 spot.

It’s possible that we’d see a few more smashings but there’s only so many elite teams in the world and I don’t think there’s a massive gulf in the quality of the rest up to a ranking of about 50 or 60-odd. Ghana is ranked 61st atm and they’re pretty handy.

Oceania get 1 + 1/3 rd places for 2026 WC with 48 teams which means Solomon Islands might get to play the 7th ranked Asian or CONCACAF side who get 6 + 1/3rd places each. So 64 teams might well be 2 paces for Oceania.

 

[Lagooner]

Oceania get 1 + 1/3 rd places for 2026 WC with 48 teams which means Solomon Islands might get to play the 7th ranked Asian or CONCACAF side who get 6 + 1/3rd places each. So 64 teams might well be 2 paces for Oceania.

Really? That seems disproportionate especially when you consider how lowly-ranked the OFC nations are including New Zealand. The 7th AFC/CONCACAF team will wipe the floor with the 2nd OFC team every time. Honestly couldn’t see them getting a full 2nd spot ever.

 

[dirty2]

If we are gonna do something silly like 64 teams... Then France B's and C's could prob join the world cup.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Really? That seems disproportionate especially when you consider how lowly-ranked the OFC nations are including New Zealand. The 7th AFC/CONCACAF team will wipe the floor with the 2nd OFC team every time. Honestly couldn’t see them getting a full 2nd spot ever.

It probably wont happen but there will be pressure on FIFA to let it happen, especially if OFC lobby hard the other confederations and they might vote as a block to stop more Euro and South American teams.

UEFA 23 places for 55 members
SAM. 7. places for 10 members
Africa 12 places for 54 members
Asia. 10 places for 46 members
NAM. 9 places for 35 members
OFC. 2 places for 11 members

Total 63 + 1 host 211 members

Solomon Islands can lobby China or Oz for $$$$ to develop their players to be more competitive if they know there are 2 spots in the WC for OFC nations. Make it part of any defence security package deal.

 

[Portology]

Hopefully an epic this morning. France to win it 3-2 by a penalty within normal time.

 

[GremioPower]

It wasn’t pk

 

[Burningleviathan]

Thought it was.
Looked like he clipped him from behind.
Argies dominating the ball. Well deserved second goal.