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This thread is hold discussions relating to the 2018 Football World Cup, currently scheduled to be held from 8^th June 2018 to 8^th July 2018.

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?

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?

From a maths point of view it is definitely more.

I see no point in allowing 8 rubbish teams spoil the first stage of the tournament.

DRT wrote:I see no point in allowing 8 rubbish teams spoil the first stage of the tournament.

Ah, g'wan.

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.

LGTrotter wrote:

DRT wrote:I see no point in allowing 8 rubbish teams spoil the first stage of the tournament.

Ah, g'wan.

No. I am mostly against it so that Scotland can never qualify ever again. It is too stressful to watch.

I withdraw the post which stood on this site, too much prosecco/gooseberry cider before dinner.

LGTrotter wrote:I withdraw the post which stood on this site, too much prosecco/gooseberry cider before dinner.

Sorry, Mrs Doyle, it's too late.

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?

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.

AHB wrote:

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?

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.

You mean another 32 games