e famous former coach Myron Markevych commented on FIFA's decision to introduce a new format for the 48-team World Cup finals.
- I support the format in which four teams will play in a group, not three. This is because even third place in the group will allow you to reach the playoffs. Not all teams play well at the beginning of the tournament, and the new format will give them a chance to improve. I remember in 1982, the Italian national team was not impressive in the group stage, played three draws and barely made it out of the group, and later became the world champion.
Yes, there are too many teams. The format with 32 teams was optimal. At the next World Cup, we will see a lot of boring games like the Qatar-Saudi Arabia match. But if FIFA has taken such a step to popularize football in all parts of the world, then we must accept it," the expert was quoted as saying by Expres.