32 > 48 The World Cup Saga

The Fifa World Cup. The most prestigious prize in world football. Millions of fans tune in every four years to watch the spectacle unfold. 32 teams 1 prize. For now...

Fifa Boss Gianni Infantino has recently suggested there are plans to increase the amount of teams to 48. He recently said "The World Cup is very well organised in its system of competition with 32 countries, groups and classifications for the second round, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final," . "So the idea is to be 16 seeded countries and a first phase of 32 countries, with a direct elimination game to advance and continue the normal World Cup with 32, but 48 teams go to the party."

Most people who watched the 2016 European Championships will agree that increasing the amount of teams in a tournament can lead to some very boring football. A lot of teams will play for the draw knowing that they can still go through. It removes a lot of the competitiveness and attacking free flowing football is rare. Incidentally, Portugal the eventual winners drew all 3 of their group stage games. They only won one of their games in the knockout stage in normal time. We mustn't discredit Portugal's achievement but you have to wonder if that's what fans want to see. A team scrape thorugh the groups and all the way to the final.

I understand that they want more teams involved in the World Cup but I genuinely believe that will come at a cost. Why change a system that isn't broken in any way shape or form. The last world cup in 2014 was absolutely breathtaking. Teams such as Colombia, Chile and Costa Rica really stepped up and performed way above expectations. I believe if the numbers are changed a lot of teams wont be trying to step up and outperform the 'bigger' teams but they will sit back and park the bus. They would be well within their right to do that as parking the bus is a viable tactic but as football fan I would not enjoy that.

I think with all the ill doings that have happened at Fifa recently they need to just relax and not make any rash decisions. Gianni Infantino has said they will know if the numbers will be increased by January so until then all we can do is pray that they see sense and keep this prestigious tournament the way it is!