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Personally I think 48 is too many and the jump from 32 immense, but this should give a few more Caribbean teams hope of eventually qualifying for a Finals.

just a bigger economic activity, fewer places will be able to host, more money for organizers.

In reply to camos

Yeah, it's always about money. That's a certainty.

A lot more countries can also compete at the highest level. They have players competing in the best leagues.So even though it is more about money, I don't disagree with the move. Look what happened to Real Madrid the other day against that Japanese team? Crazy?! No. Standards have risen around the world. Don't even send your second stringers to play against MLS.They will lose.

In reply to RoyalDad

I'm all about opening opportunities for teams to compete at the pinnacle of their sport. It's why I'm disgusted with the ICC for contracting their showpiece event (oddly enough, both groups are doing the exact opposite thing so that they can make more money, go figure). But I digress. (Stupid ICC)

48 at a Finals, though. I don't know of any team sport in the world that has anything close to that many in one tournament.

At least there's no "play-in" game, as was suggested in some circles. 32 teams in straight knockout though, not fond of this. And some fans may feel aggrieved that say France stumbled early and got paired with Italy in the Round of 32. The loser will have a very early exit. The good news is that there are no dead rubber matches at all - every contest will have meaning (unlike the next ICC CWC).

In reply to Tryangle

you had 24 teams in EURO 2016 and that is one Federation.

I think this is politicking to get Asian, concacaf and African votes...

In reply to DAVE400

all about money!

where is jack w when u need him?

It's not a big jump because it's a couple from each federation more than before

You just eliminating those inter confed playoffs
Concacaf getting six and a half places?
Football is global so allow the fans around the world to support their teams on the big stage
Forget the 'fans' who only want to see so called big teams

How did big teams Holland and England fare last rongs?

In reply to camos

And it was a delight to see how Iceland performed. So fair argument on Euros.

I imagine Concacaf will replace the single Hex with two groups of 6 (while hoping to get Mexico and the US in the same group because, Rivalry) and remove the second group phase.