New World Cup Format ???

[lilphenom]

Attractive alternative

Blatter backs World Cup first round knockout system
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Posted: Saturday September 29, 2001 10:46 AM


BERLIN (Reuters) -- FIFA president Sepp Blatter has not ruled out introducing a knock-out system for the first stage of the World Cup finals, currently played under a group format.

"It is the most fair variant and also the most attractive," Blatter told the Sunday edition of Berlin's Tagesspiegel newspaper.

Blatter said he did not think such a system would increase the risk of favorites making early exits.

"In every competition played under a cup format, you always see the big teams going through in the end," Blatter added in the interview released a day ahead of publication.

Blatter also said he still regrets that Africa was not awarded the 2006 World Cup finals.

"I don't hide the fact that I regret Africa was left out of the account," he said.

The South African bid lost to Germany by one vote despite receiving Blatter's support.


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personally i am against this idea i think it will just make the entire tournament shorter and less entertaining they should leave it as it the only way i would even consider this is if there were to up the field of 32 to a higher number but then i think that would take away some of the prestigious because for some teams just getting to the world cup is a huge accomplishment

[OAnimal]

I am against this as well. The current format is OK. The knockout stage from the beginning would mean that one bad day means you are out of the tournament. Now you have (at least in the first phase) the possibility to win the title despite losing one game. If there would be a knockout stage, than we don't need a host country either. Each two teams could play home and away games to decide who goes through.

[Garrincha]

I am against this, and I sincerely don't think there's any need to worry: It will NEVER happen. The present format garantees a minimum of three WC matches for all participants; that way, a country that is interested in purchasing the (expensive) TV rights knows there are at least 3 games of the favourite team. A knockout 1st phase would lessen interest and therefore decrease the value of the TV package FIFA sells. FIFA is not shredding money, so...

FIFA won't do it. I think it's just a "bait" Blatter's throwing around, to use as a bargaining chip later. It's a classic negotiation move: You propose something preposterous, then when the other party wants you to take that out, you can demand that something YOU don't want is taken out too. That way, you have more leverage for negotiations. :cool:

Never accept a politician's words at face value, kids.;)

[ItalianBoy]

what is this new format?
can I read it at FIFA.com?