| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked 20:39 - Jul 2 with 3032 views | GeoffSentence |
I thought it was a terrible idea when it was announced, but as the group stage was simply an exercise in weeding out the worst 16 teams the group games were much more open than normal, and with the competition proper really starting with knockout games it's been a recipe for good attacking football by and large. |  |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 07:31 - Jul 3 with 712 views | redrickstuhaart |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 06:58 - Jul 3 by Nthsuffolkblue |
"Ones with a foregone conclusion." Like Spain v Cape Verde, Ecuador v Curacao, Belgium v Iran, England v Ghana, Germany v Paraguay, Netherlands v Morocco, England v DR Congo?
One of the things for me has been how the "minor" teams have been far more competitive than I expected. There have been a few convincing one-sided wins but aren't there every World Cup? |
The only genuine shock was cape verde.
Most of the games have been meaningless. |  |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 07:40 - Jul 3 with 679 views | Benters |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 07:31 - Jul 3 by redrickstuhaart |
The only genuine shock was cape verde.
Most of the games have been meaningless. |
I bet if you fell into a barrel of tits you’d come out sucking your thumb.😂👍 |  |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 07:48 - Jul 3 with 665 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 07:31 - Jul 3 by redrickstuhaart |
The only genuine shock was cape verde.
Most of the games have been meaningless. |
Meaningless for England possibly. Which would explain why no one cared that we only drew with Ghana and struggled to beat DR Congo.
Less meaningless for Scotland and teams of that level.
And certainly not meaningless for any of the host nations or teams like Qatar, Curacao, Cape Verde etc all of whom wouldn't be there if it weren't for the expanded format and none of which lost all their matches. I think Haiti were the only team to lose all their matches and those only by 0-1, 0-3 and 2-4. I would imagine there is a team that loses all their matches in most WC finals.
The only real argument for the expanded format not working would be that none of the teams expected to progress got knocked out in the group stage. Again, I am sure that has happened in previous World Cup tournaments (just not the last 2 or 3). |  |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 07:59 - Jul 3 with 643 views | DanTheMan |
I've enjoyed it, the only thing I've got an issue with is the 3rd place thing. Either go the whole way and do 64 teams or find a better way to do the group stages so the jeopardy is put back. |  |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 08:07 - Jul 3 with 629 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 07:59 - Jul 3 by DanTheMan |
I've enjoyed it, the only thing I've got an issue with is the 3rd place thing. Either go the whole way and do 64 teams or find a better way to do the group stages so the jeopardy is put back. |
Isn't the 3rd place thing usually how the World Cup works? It's just with the expanded tournament there were more groups and so more teams all around that get through.
Or was it a thing that they stopped and have returned to? | |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 08:08 - Jul 3 with 624 views | iamatractorboy |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 08:07 - Jul 3 by Nthsuffolkblue |
Isn't the 3rd place thing usually how the World Cup works? It's just with the expanded tournament there were more groups and so more teams all around that get through.
Or was it a thing that they stopped and have returned to? |
They did it with 24 teams in 1986, 1990 and 1994. They also did it at Euro 2020 and 2024. | | | |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 08:18 - Jul 3 with 616 views | Leaky |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 07:40 - Jul 3 by Benters |
I bet if you fell into a barrel of tits you’d come out sucking your thumb.😂👍 |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 08:19 - Jul 3 with 612 views | BlueRaider |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 20:49 - Jul 2 by suffolkpoker |
I think it’s crap. Seeing games like Suadi vs Spain is pointless in a WC finals |
It has always been thus though. 16 teams in 1974 still threw out Brazil v Zaire, 24 in 1982 gave Hungary v El Salvador | |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 08:33 - Jul 3 with 589 views | yorkshireblue |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 23:52 - Jul 2 by mellowblue |
I have been pleasantly surprised. The group stages did not stretch out as long as I thought they would and doubling the knockout stages from 16 to 32 games has to be a plus. It has allowed a lot of smaller nations such as Cape Verde the chance to realize their dreams. |
Cape Verde would have qualifed under the old format - they won their group that included Cameroon. |  | | |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 08:47 - Jul 3 with 562 views | naa |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 20:49 - Jul 2 by suffolkpoker |
I think it’s crap. Seeing games like Suadi vs Spain is pointless in a WC finals |
Don't completely disagree with your point (though all World Cups have had poor games, and not always from the lower ranked teams), but Saudi have been loads of WCs so not a great example to prove your point. [Post edited 3 Jul 8:55]
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 08:49 - Jul 3 with 561 views | naa |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 21:28 - Jul 2 by Illinoisblue |
It’s been a relentless slog of two or three games every day. Hard to recall a time before the World Cup. Will miss it when it’s gone. But… multi-host sites should never happen again. Keep it in one country only. |
With 48 teams I can't see that many countries would be able to host in the future. | | | |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 08:54 - Jul 3 with 551 views | naa |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 08:07 - Jul 3 by Nthsuffolkblue |
Isn't the 3rd place thing usually how the World Cup works? It's just with the expanded tournament there were more groups and so more teams all around that get through.
Or was it a thing that they stopped and have returned to? |
When it was 24 teams the 3rd place thing existed, then they went to 32 so it was top 2 only. | | | |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 08:57 - Jul 3 with 545 views | Dubtractor |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 07:59 - Jul 3 by DanTheMan |
I've enjoyed it, the only thing I've got an issue with is the 3rd place thing. Either go the whole way and do 64 teams or find a better way to do the group stages so the jeopardy is put back. |
That lack of jeopardy is why I didn't get into the group stage.
Clearly there have been some decent games, and occasional surprise results, but no surprise eliminations at that point. Everyone you'd expect to go through went through. Turkey and Czech Republic going out us the closest you'd get ti being surprised by. |  |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 09:00 - Jul 3 with 545 views | Pinewoodblue |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 21:16 - Jul 2 by MVBlue |
I think on balance at this cup it has worked and theres been massive full stadiums. The fun of Cape Verde and Scotland has certainly added something too. But the panini or Adrenaline XL cardset
collections for the kids are insane. Its not all elite players but the fun is definitely there. Amusing to have 3 hosts as well |
If you think having three host countries is amusing you will enjoy the next one in 2030.
Taking place in six countries spread over three continents. |  |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 09:06 - Jul 3 with 526 views | Churchman |
I was determined not to enjoy it. And failed dismally. It’s been excellent. The highlight is the supporters, particularly for the ‘smaller’ footballing nations. Norwegians, Americans enthusiasm, S Americans, brilliant African and Asian teams - all good. I gather the Scots were there for a few days too.
It really is a world game now. |  | | |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 09:14 - Jul 3 with 513 views | Radlett_blue |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 20:57 - Jul 2 by rkc123 |
Some of those final group games could have been fantastic if it was just the top 2 going through, the 8 out of 12 third place finishes going through as well absolutely killed the group phase. I think they would be better just going all the way up to 64 teams now they have gone away from 32 (and are unlikely to go back to it), yes there would be a crazy number of groups, but at least the groups would have some proper jeopardy. |
Hmm...64 teams "better". Don't forget what that will make the already tedious qualification process like (although maybe Italy will qualify). I could just about handle 32 teams as it makes for a sensible, simple finals - 8 groups of 4, top 2 go through from each. |  |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 09:40 - Jul 3 with 499 views | BiGDonnie |
I've enjoyed every match. They're all different. Some big teams out early and now it starts to get serious.
COME ON ENGLAND! |  |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 10:34 - Jul 3 with 464 views | RonFearonsHair |
I think if anything they've made a strong case for a 32-team straight-knockout tournament. The group stage just felt like a strange hybrid of qualifying and exhibition games, with the World Cup itself only really starting last Sunday. |  | | |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 11:21 - Jul 3 with 438 views | Radlett_blue |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 10:34 - Jul 3 by RonFearonsHair |
I think if anything they've made a strong case for a 32-team straight-knockout tournament. The group stage just felt like a strange hybrid of qualifying and exhibition games, with the World Cup itself only really starting last Sunday. |
Except, that won't happen. Organisers feel that more games=more money & that's all administrators are interested in. I agree it's silly to make teams play endless qualifiers & then trek around the world for one game. | |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 11:28 - Jul 3 with 429 views | mellowblue |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 08:33 - Jul 3 by yorkshireblue |
Cape Verde would have qualifed under the old format - they won their group that included Cameroon. |
Would not. But they would have had a chance to qualify. Only 5 teams qualified for the Wold Cup under the old system. They won their group and that was commendable, but if it was still the old format they would have had to win a playoff game to make it. For the record they had the 7th best qualifying record which for the size of land mass and population with no star players (at least no one I recognise), that is pretty damn good. | | | |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 11:28 - Jul 3 with 429 views | Radlett_blue |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 06:32 - Jul 3 by Blue_Heath |
My only frustration is the kick off times meaning I miss most games due to having to be up early, other than that really enjoyed it. |
Very self-centred of the organisers not to ensure that all the games kick off in European prime time of mid evening.
I won't be watching Mexico v England as 1am isn't when I want to be watching a football game that could go on until nearly 4am, but I accept that kicking off in Mexico City at 6pm makes sense from a point of weather & the locals. For those of you staying up, be prepared for this risk of storms and a delayed match! | |
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 11:57 - Jul 3 with 408 views | RonFearonsHair |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 11:21 - Jul 3 by Radlett_blue |
Except, that won't happen. Organisers feel that more games=more money & that's all administrators are interested in. I agree it's silly to make teams play endless qualifiers & then trek around the world for one game. |
Oh don't get me wrong, I understand there is absolutely no way were are going back to 32 teams now.
I also agree that group stages are considerably more preferable than a straight knock-out as every team deserves the chance to play at least three matches in the tournament.
I just disagree somewhat that the format and makeup of this tournament has been successful overall from a competive perspective, even if the majority of matches have been pleasing on the eye. | | | |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 14:16 - Jul 3 with 360 views | Trequartista |
I disagree, we've brought back the issue of teams knowing the score they need as the 3rd place team as they are competing against teams in other groups instead of their own group. The top players are getting a ridiculous amount of goals playing against small nations who shouldn't be there. A knockout tournament from the last 32 means it is now more like the F.A.Cup in that the best team is less likely to win it when they have to avoid having a bad day 5 times in a row. The amount of games is ridiculous, its impossible to keep up and watch them all, quantity over quality. How many games or even fixtures are going to be remembered when the tournament is over and time has passed?
I have enjoyed the tournament because football drama is so good it is worth watching despite the utter wretchedness of FIFA not because of them.
It should go back to 16. [Post edited 3 Jul 14:17]
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| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 14:54 - Jul 3 with 333 views | vapour_trail |
| I have to admit I think this expanded WC format has worked on 08:57 - Jul 3 by Dubtractor |
That lack of jeopardy is why I didn't get into the group stage.
Clearly there have been some decent games, and occasional surprise results, but no surprise eliminations at that point. Everyone you'd expect to go through went through. Turkey and Czech Republic going out us the closest you'd get ti being surprised by. |
I’d say Uruguay going out was a genuine shock from that group, but agree there is insufficient jeopardy. |  |
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