Okay so the world cup has got to the interesting bit – the knock out stages and I have started watching. All the meaningless tedium and those nil – nil draws are over and every match is win or go home. Imagine if the World Cup could be like this right from the first match.
Well here is how it could be.
Step one, increase the number of teams to 40. The opening round then consists of 20 matches between these 40 teams. This gives us 20 winners who automatically qualify for the next round and 20 losers. The losers then play off in a “repechage” ( I borrowed the word from rowing). This consists of 10 matches between the first round losers. The winners of these matches go forward to the next round to give a total of 30 going through with 10 hoping for a wild card slot. There are two wild card slots required to bring the numbers in the next round up to 32. One of these wildcard slots is reserved for the hosts should they need it. They simple take the slot if they lose either of their first two matches. In this way the hosts are guaranteed 3 matches. The remaining wild card slot (or 2 if the hosts do not need the benefit of it) goes to the first and second round losing team with the best record as determined by a formula.
A simple formula would be the number of points won by the team based on performances in normal time. IE, a country that goes into extra time twice in the first two matches would have two points. Goals scored would then be used as a tie breaker.
Naturally, if you lose your first match, you are more likely to face a strong team in the next round.
So what are the advantages. Well here is my cut.
1. - An extra 8 countries in the world cup.
2. - Total matches reduced from 79 to 61.
3. - Best case is only 6 matches required to win the tournament, down from 8.
And best of all, no draws. Every match has a winner – and the stakes are much higher. After the frist match, if you lose, you are most likely to be going home.
Shane
