The 2018 Football World Cup
The 2018 Football World Cup
This thread is hold discussions relating to the 2018 Football World Cup, currently scheduled to be held from 8th June 2018 to 8th July 2018.
Re: The 2018 Football World Cup
It has been suggested, by UEFA President Michel Platini, that starting with 2018 World Cup the group stages be expanded from 32 to 40 countries, so eight groups each of five rather than of four. Have the experts a strong view on this matter?
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Re: The 2018 Football World Cup
From a maths point of view it is definitely more.jdaw1 wrote:It has been suggested, by UEFA President Michel Platini, that starting with 2018 World Cup the group stages be expanded from 32 to 40 countries, so eight groups each of five rather than of four. Have the experts a strong view on this matter?
Re: The 2018 Football World Cup
I see no point in allowing 8 rubbish teams spoil the first stage of the tournament.
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Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
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Re: The 2018 Football World Cup
Ah, g'wan.DRT wrote:I see no point in allowing 8 rubbish teams spoil the first stage of the tournament.
Re: The 2018 Football World Cup
Can't see what would be beneficial with that proposal:
- the additional 8 teams would be weak competitors
- 32 additional games would make the whole competition longer by about 10 days which IMO would reduce interest in the finals, not increase it
- the extra time would further reduce the time for players to recover for the next season
No doubt the argument is made that the larger number of teams gives those other countries much needed exposure and so on, but I really don't think the potential of a slot at a world cup finals is the thing that will radically drive profile of, investment in, and quality of, football in those countries.
- the additional 8 teams would be weak competitors
- 32 additional games would make the whole competition longer by about 10 days which IMO would reduce interest in the finals, not increase it
- the extra time would further reduce the time for players to recover for the next season
No doubt the argument is made that the larger number of teams gives those other countries much needed exposure and so on, but I really don't think the potential of a slot at a world cup finals is the thing that will radically drive profile of, investment in, and quality of, football in those countries.
Re: The 2018 Football World Cup
No. I am mostly against it so that Scotland can never qualify ever again. It is too stressful to watch.LGTrotter wrote:Ah, g'wan.DRT wrote:I see no point in allowing 8 rubbish teams spoil the first stage of the tournament.
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
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Re: The 2018 Football World Cup
I withdraw the post which stood on this site, too much prosecco/gooseberry cider before dinner.
Re: The 2018 Football World Cup
Sorry, Mrs Doyle, it's too late.LGTrotter wrote:I withdraw the post which stood on this site, too much prosecco/gooseberry cider before dinner.
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
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Re: The 2018 Football World Cup
I think this is an excellent idea as it gives another 8 games for spread betters to fix. The winning World Cup hosts have to recover their investments somehow.jdaw1 wrote:It has been suggested, by UEFA President Michel Platini, that starting with 2018 World Cup the group stages be expanded from 32 to 40 countries, so eight groups each of five rather than of four. Have the experts a strong view on this matter?
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2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
Re: The 2018 Football World Cup
You mean another 32 gamesAHB wrote:I think this is an excellent idea as it gives another 8 games for spread betters to fix. The winning World Cup hosts have to recover their investments somehow.jdaw1 wrote:It has been suggested, by UEFA President Michel Platini, that starting with 2018 World Cup the group stages be expanded from 32 to 40 countries, so eight groups each of five rather than of four. Have the experts a strong view on this matter?