The first of two group games that could see both teams progress with a draw has ended 0-0, exposing what critics say is a fundamental flaw in the World Cup’s new 48-team format.
The result, which sends both sides through to the knockout stage, has raised doubts about a system that allows third-placed teams to qualify — a change Fifa introduced to whittle 48 teams down to a symmetrical 32 for the last 32.
“A 0-0 draw in the World Cup has highlighted a flaw in the new 48-team format, allowing both teams to progress.”
Already, the lack of jeopardy has become apparent. South Korea suffered a shock 1-0 defeat by South Africa on Wednesday, a result that sent Bafana Bafana into the knockout stage for the first time. Yet South Korea are still very likely to reach the last 32 as one of the eight best third-placed teams. A record of three points and a goal difference of -1 is probably enough. Had that defeat happened at the 2022 World Cup, when only the top two qualified, South Korea would already be on the plane home.
The expanded tournament, which Fifa settled on after abandoning an initial plan of 16 three-team groups, was always an imperfect number. The original idea would have left the door open to collusion — as the infamous 1982 match between West Germany and Austria showed, when a slender win for the Germans sent both teams through at Algeria’s expense. Fifa changed that format so all final group matches were played simultaneously, but three-team groups made that impossible.
The climax to the group stage in Qatar was so exciting that Fifa had a rethink, accepting there must be 12 four-team groups with two matches played at the same time. But the decision to let eight third-placed teams advance has removed much of the jeopardy that made the last World Cup so gripping.
Two matches this week were seen as a real test of the format. The first has already produced the convenient draw. The second will be watched closely — and with it, the question of whether Fifa’s solution has created more problems than it solved.