I take your point

I guess the reason for the group qualifying is logistics as it's easier to organise if you have a full schedule in front of you. I agree that that favours the big boys; but the occasional surprise does get through and, to pick a random example, England have been known to not qualify...

I much preferred the European Cup as a knockout for true champions; but the money men own football now.

Even FIFA, while claiming to be promoting football in emerging countries, favour countries where as much cash as possible can be made: USA, Japan/S. Korea, etc. Even S. Africa had the biggest money making potential of the African nations despite several countries having a far better case in football terms. And he got to hobnob with Nelson.

Not sure what a breakaway from FIFA would achieve though. Just a different set of crooks setting up a monopoly to exclude the poorest nations.

Posted By: BerlinCanary, Dec 9, 14:06:06