For many older football fans, they must remember their youthful days, eagerly waiting for each match at the World Cup, swallowing every event, every minute through the small screen, any match. That was the time when football on television was still a luxury, each match represented the "elly of the "red" of the world's highest level football tournament.
Experts say that the final round of 32 teams from continents around the world is the most suitable model in many aspects. However, with more demand and more desire, FIFA will increase the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams from 2026. That opens up opportunities for other teams, but also shows that the most prestigious tournament on the planet is gradually losing its inherent refinement. It is uncertain whether the quality of the (middle-level) teams will be improved, meaning the final round will be more attractive.
And when the 48-team World Cup has not yet taken place, there is another proposal to increase the number of teams participating in the 2030 World Cup to 64, with the reason being to celebrate the 100th anniversary. It sounds encouraging, especially for football backgrounds like Vietnam, but world football cannot operate with just emotions!? 48 teams in the 2026 World Cup have already increased the team competition schedule by 8 days (from June 11 to July 19) compared to normal, so for 64 teams, the tournament will take nearly 2 months and the thinning in expertise is easy to see.
Players have just finished the season, have not had a break, and have just played in the World Cup and are preparing for the new season. tired legs are unlikely to produce top-notch performances. For fans, the World Cup was once wrapped up in a summer, just enough to be excited, excited, enjoy, and explosive without affecting work much. As for the media, the World Cup is expanded to mean a pressure marathon, so that initial excitement can easily make room for fatigue.
A tournament that is likened to a festival but makes everyone fall into a state of exhaustion, where is the attraction!? The dream of participating in the World Cup is legitimate, but the core value of the tournament should not be taken away, which honors the true quintessence of world football.
