The FIFA World Cup is one of the most widely viewed sporting events in the world, and it is no wonder why. More than 3 billion people tuned in to watch their favorite teams battle it out on the pitch when the tournament took place in Russia in 2018, and it will be interesting to see how many have watched events in Qatar this year.
With so much attention being paid to this event, questions have been raised as to whether expanding the number of teams participating would be a positive or negative change. As we know, the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico will be the largest tournament ever, as 48 teams will be able to qualify; up from the 32 that are currently competing in the Middle East at the moment.
Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of such an expansion.
The Pros of Expansion
One of the major benefits of expanding the number of teams participating in this event is that it would give more nations a chance to compete at a higher level. This could provide fans with a greater variety of matches to watch and make for some exciting competition between countries that may not normally face each other on an international stage.
Naturally, with so many fans continuing to wager on the competition, this is something that could be welcomed by enthusiasts, too. With a large portion of fans using the options listed on Wishcasinos.com due to the safe and convenient options each operator provides, it would not be a surprise if we saw even more flock to the platform in order to place safe bets with trusted sites if the World Cup does expand further.
Additionally, more teams in the tournament could mean increased revenue for FIFA and its affiliated organizations, which could result in better facilities and higher prize pots for players; although some may argue that it is already extremely high, with a reported $42 million on offer for the winners; a total of $440 million is also up for grabs.
Finally, an expanded tournament could lead to a greater acceptance and appreciation for different cultures around the world.
The Cons of Expansion
On the other hand, there are some potential drawbacks associated with expanding the number of teams competing in this event as well.
For instance, it would require additional investments from FIFA and its member states in order to accommodate all these extra teams. This could mean poorer quality facilities or higher costs associated with hosting games at various venues across multiple continents.
Furthermore, adding more teams could lead to longer tournaments and less time for each team to rest between matches, which could potentially affect players’ performance levels significantly over time as fatigue sets in.
Finally, expanding the tournament might also lead to weaker competition overall since lower-ranked teams might struggle against stronger opponents who have had more experience playing at this level before.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are both pros and cons associated with expanding the number of teams participating in this prestigious event. We might just find out the answer in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as we know there will be 48 teams participating in that edition of the tournament.
