2014 FIFA World Cup... A Change.

[RedRifle442]

FIFA WORLD CUP 2014... A CHANGE IN FORMAT

The year is 2011. The powers of FIFA have thrown around the idea of a 48 team tournament, or a 64 team tournament and have been hit with negative reaction at every turn. Cramped in a board room they are faced with a challenging task: how do we appeal to everyone while also generating as much money as possible?

"We could try stretching the tournament out longer, generating more television revenue?" No no that wouldn't work.

"What about making sure England survives past the Quarter-Finals this time?", another put forward. This was pondered but eventually decided against.

"We could just invite every team, then everyone is happy and will be tuning in, it is a win-win", quipped one board member.

Everyone froze.

It was brilliant.

The World Cup would now begin with 203 teams, and then whittle it all the way down to one champion.

Some Rules and Regulations Put in Place

The two worst in there Confederation have a single match to determine who is safe and who goes to the "First Six Group." After these matches are conducted, the First Six Group starts. Each team plays the other teams one time and the three teams with the best record advance and three with the worst record are out. This gets the field to 200 teams.

The 200 teams are then drawn into 25 groups of 8 teams each. The seeds are determined based on World Rank given in the game, not my personal decisions. One team from Pot A, Pot B, Pot C, Pot D, Pot E, Pot F and two from Pot G. Each team plays the other teams in there group once with the top 4 moving on. Tiebreakers are based on plus/minus, then goals for, then head to head. All games are held on a neutral site, a member of your groups home field.

The remaining 100 teams are drawn into 10 groups of 10. Each teams play every other team once. Top 4 from each group automatically advance. The best 6 5th place teams also automatically qualify. The final four 5th place teams then play a single game elimination to determine the last two teams in. This will give us 48 teams. Home field works the same as Round of 200.

The 48 teams are split into 8 groups of 6, where you play each team twice [home-away sets] and the top four teams advance to the final 32. There they are drawn into traditional World Cup groups, only difference being each team plays the other three teams twice. From there it is a traditional knock out round action until a Champion is declared.

ALL GAMES ARE CPU-CPU. This makes it as unpredictable as possible. Half lengths are 10 minutes each and referee is on random. Three Yellow cards result in a 1 match suspension and a red card will also result in a 1 match suspension. As far as determining squads I will be using my judgement and adjusting as it presents itself. For example, the bench could start for Germany if they come up against Cambodia and the starters need a rest. I won't be doing anything outlandish however.

I will be recapping each match with a short summary and the match stats and will provide the table of the groups before every match day so following along shouldn't be a problem!

Cheers for now, the journey will be long but will be worth it to crown the World Cup's first 203 team tournament champion!

[RedRifle442]

TOURNAMENT CHANGES CAUSE DIVISION AMONGST FANS AND CRITICS; Qualification for First Six Group Match Draws Announced

Fans and critics alike are torn on new World Cup format FIFA has unveiled this week. Traditionalists of the sport have ripped it to shreds, saying that the inclusion of all teams disvalues the event. Others argue that the addition of all teams make the event more competitive in the long run. Amidst the dispute, FIFA has pushed on and announced the draws for the opening matches.

A reminder of how this section works: FIFA has selected the two weakest teams in all six confederations; CONCACEF, Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and Oceania. The two teams play a a single game and the loser goes to the "First Six Group." Here, the six teams play each other once with the top three advancing and the bottom three being the first three out.

FIFA FIRST SIX HIGHLIGHTED BY BOLIVIA-VENEZUELA, SAN MARINO-ANDORRA AMONG OTHERS

And so it begins. The FIFA World Cup is officially underway with the announcement of the First Six qualification matches. Generally these teams are the weakest in there respective Confederations and won't make much noise in the major group stages, however they will come out firing as no one wants the humiliation of being a potential first three out team.

VENEZUELA-BOLIVIA

This match serves as the heavyweight tilt of this round and with good reason; these two squads are miles better than anyone else battling at this stage. Both teams will be battling for the win but the loser shouldn't lose much sleep. It is a safe bet to pencil both these teams into the Round of 200.

SOMALIA-DJIBOUTI

Intriguing match-up here, both teams fairly close to each other so Djibouti won't have to travel far. Somalia has the slight edge in terms of talent and should take care of business. This spells trouble for a Djibouti team who may not have the power to advance any further.

SAN MARINO-ANDORRA

No team wants to be the first out in the prideful confederation of Europe and that is a very real possibility for whoever loses this match. The popular pick appears to be San Marino, who has gained a cult following in the online Football community.

CAMBODIA-MACAU

One of the more predictable matches here, Cambodia is one of the better of the teams participating in this round and Macau one of the worst. Macau will need to play as stout defence as possible and hope they can get it to penalties. That is the only shot I see them having. [Yes, penalties are used in case no goal has been scored after regulation and golden goal time, in this round.]

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS-ANGUILLA

Whoever loses this likely goes home in the First Six group so it is CRUCIAL both these teams come out hungry. Both will look to rely on there defence. No Messi or Ronaldo's here.

COOK ISLANDS-PAPAU NEW GUINEA

Just as the above match, loser likely doesn't get out of the next group which would sting. Two of the weaker teams in the round.

Both sides of the debate have a point to make after these draws were announced. The denouncers pointed to the slate of weak games as a waste of time. "Somalia-Djibouti? Show me someone who can find those on a map and I will show you a liar!" one disgruntled tweet read. Alternatively, many have said they think the increased exposure in Countries who otherwise couldn't get a chance to showcase there talents will only do good for the talent pool and growth of the sport.

Join us next time as we see the first matches from the 203 World Cup!

SOMALIA-Djibouti 10:15am
VENEZUELA-Bolivia 12:00pm
ANGUILLA-Turks and Caicos Islands 12:15pm
PAPAU NEW GUINEA-Cooks Island 1:30pm
ANDORRA-San Marino 4pm
CAMBODIA-Macau 4pm

[Home team in CAPS]