AN expanded World Cup was always going to be approved by the FIFA Council – but it is still a bad idea.
Club tournaments like the Champions League have been tweaked to the benefit of the greedy, major clubs while international football tournaments are being expanded to keep the small guys happy.
Unsurprisingly, it is all down to politics and money.
As the 24-team Euro 2016 illustrated, increased quantity means decreased quality.
We will look back at Brazil 2014 with fondness as the last tournament in the right place with the right balance. Great fans, some cracking matches.
France last summer was not an entertaining tournament in terms of the football. Next year’s World Cup in Russia poses more obvious, worrying issues while the bonkers Euro2020 – with the semi-finals and final at Wembley – will have 13 host cities including the famous footballing city of Baku in Azerbaijan.
And then we will have a World Cup final in Qatar. A few days before Christmas.
The 2026 tournament looks certain to be in the United States but Gianni Infantino is keen on regions to host tournaments.
Either Canada or Mexico are likely to be cost-hosts with the States. When you consider the incoming US president has floated the idea of erecting a wall between his country and their southern neighbours, I would put your money on a US-Canada World Cup.
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It is certain to be an odd event. There is the old saying about less is more – yet 21st century football is all about more and more.
At least the 2026 World Cup will give England the opportunity of playing just two games before coming home. Particularly if the group matches are settled by penalties.