The dream of the national football team comes true: the opportunities and challenges of the expansion of the World Cup
Is the expansion of the World Cup really for the future of football, or for the expansion of the wallet? When the number of teams participating in the 2026 World Cup was expanded from 32 to 48, the number of Asian places increased to an unprecedented 8.5. Can the national football team seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? A trio of football, business and national pride is being staged.
Behind the expansion: the future of football or the calculation of business?
FIFA's decision has caused numerous controversies. It has been argued that the increase in quota places is intended to allow more countries to participate and increase the popularity of football worldwide. Others suspect that this is for commercial gain, after all, more games mean more revenue. I don't know if this expansion has turned the "beautiful game" of football into a "money game".
Historically, the World Cup has been considered the pinnacle of football. The competition between the participating teams is fierce, with 32 spots making every game full of suspense. Now, will the expansion of the 48 places dilute the spectacle of the game? What's more, the number of places in the Asian zone has increased to 8.5, and the national football team has a greater chance, but is this fair to other countries?
The New Landscape of Asia: Opportunities and Challenges for the National Football Team
In the round of 18 in the Asian zone, the national football team was divided into a group A known as the "Group of Death". There are powerful Japan and Australia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, which have risen in recent years, and Indonesia, which is relatively weak. For the national football team, this is undoubtedly a huge challenge, but it is also a major opportunity.
Australia's opening game was a shock to Bahrain. The whole field attacked fruitlessly, and was finally killed by Bahrain, which was really disadvantageous. And Indonesia was able to draw against Saudi Arabia away from home, does this show that the pattern of Asian football is quietly changing?
The Impact of Naturalized Players: A Game Changer?
It has to be mentioned that Indonesia has greatly strengthened its strength by naturalizing players, and such a strategy is no secret in Asia. Many countries are following suit, hoping to improve the level by naturalizing players. But can such a practice really last?
The addition of naturalized players can indeed improve the strength of the team in the short term, but will this affect the development and opportunities of local players? Will this trend make football lose its original purity? These are all questions worth pondering.
What the future holds: opportunities or challenges?
In the face of the new situation, how can the national football team stand out in the "death group"? This requires not only strength, but also wisdom. In the past five years, the performance of the national football team in the international arena has not been ideal, can this time with the help of the east wind of the expansion of the army, to achieve a breakthrough?
The reform of the World Cup expansion announced in 2024 gives us hope, but it should not be taken lightly. For the national football team, the most important thing is how to find their place in this opportunity and improve the overall level.
Personal reviews
Seeing the expansion of the World Cup, as an ordinary fan, I can't help but be excited. More places mean more opportunities, but it also means more challenges. Whether the national football team can gain a firm foothold in such a tide will take time to verify.
Closing point
The expansion of the World Cup has brought more expectations and suspense. For the national football team, this is both an opportunity and a challenge. Whether a breakthrough can be achieved in this tide will remain to be seen in the future. That's the charm of football, and the unknown is exciting.