The World Cup just isnโt the same anymore.
How are you telling me Germany is playing Curaรงao?
Expanding the tournament and handing out more spots doesnโt make it better. Just look at the gap in quality.
This World Cup is featuring teams like South Africa, Qatar, Haiti, Curaรงao, New Zealand, Cabo Verde, Iraq, Jordan, DR Congo, and Panama.
While teams like Italy,Denmark, Nigeria and Cameroon miss out
Iโd be surprised if one of them doesnโt finish last in their group
Compare that to the last World Cup, where the only teams Iโd put in this category were Costa Rica and Qatar (and Qatar only qualified because they were the hosts).
The value of World Cup goals, wins, records, and statistics will have less value. Stat-padding will be inevitable and comparisons with previous World cups will become much less meaningful.