Actually... I'm kind of ok with it

There are 211 FIFA nations, so it isn't entirely unreasonable to stage a finals competition in which more than three-quarters of the membership still won’t actually participate.

Also group stages are dull. The finalists will now play two group and four knockout matches to get to the final instead of three and three. Also it is now impossible to be knocked out before your final group match. Every game matters.

32 teams going through to the knockout phase is an actual cup competition. Discounting the 3rd/4th place play-off, that’s 31 proper, sudden death knockout matches. Also, I love seeing different nations – African, Asian, Central American etc.

It might not be the perfect format, it might be all about money, it might have a few more s**t games… but it’s really going to be ok. It’s still football. Put the ball in the net.

And we will watch.
Every. Single. Game.

Posted By: norway on January 10th 2017 at 13:09:55

Message Thread

RIP the World Cup (n/m) (Other Football) - Charles21, Jan 10, 12:31:04
- I'm not keen (Other Football) - Jester, Jan 10, 16:32:42
- Scotland rejoicing. They may even qualify for something. (n/m) (Other Football) - Pixelman, Jan 10, 13:37:01
- Actually... I'm kind of ok with it (Other Football) - norway, Jan 10, 13:09:55
  - 3 teams in a group means that each last match can be a biscotto (Other Football) - Dave in France, Jan 10, 14:08:09
    - Well... I've been thinking about this... (Other Football) - norway, Jan 10, 15:21:17
      - Nil points for draw or coin toss for the points (Other Football) - CWC, Jan 10, 20:36:35
      - In '82, only one team from each 3 team group went through? (Other Football) - Tricky Hawes, Jan 10, 17:32:06
        
        An excellent and depressingly thorough point (Other Football) - norway, Jan 10, 19:29:58
  - You say it's still football and it'll be ok (Other Football) - Charles21, Jan 10, 13:22:05
    - Because at club level there are more important competitions than the FA Cup (Other Football) - mr carra, Jan 10, 14:20:36
      - Why are there more important competitions? (Other Football) - Charles21, Jan 10, 14:29:06
        
        The later stages will still be the same (n/m) (Other Football) - mr carra, Jan 10, 14:31:38
    - Disagreed (Other Football) - norway, Jan 10, 13:30:51
- Panini must be pleased. (n/m) (Other Football) - bird table, Jan 10, 12:40:43
  - Haha (n/m) (Other Football) - yellowman, Jan 10, 12:42:09

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