On the day of the World Cup final, a feeling of nostalgia and disappointment will normally grip you.
The thought of waiting for four years seems unimaginable. Yet, when you remember the 2014 World Cup iconic match, the 7-1 mauling Germany subjected Brazil to in the semi-final, it is like yesterday.
That should demystify the thinking that four years between World Cups is such a long time. Moreover, the 2018 World Cup qualifiers have already started, meaning that the mood towards Russia is growing, so much that ideas and suggestions on the subject of the world cup are already emerging.
This week, Gianni Infantino, the president of the world football governing body, Fifa said that he wants the World Cup to be expanded to 48 teams from 32. Earlier on, he had suggested 40. At this rate, he will soon be speaking of 50, which should be music to the ears for many football developing continents like Africa.
You see, with only five representatives at the World Cup since 1998, Africa feels under-represented compared to Europe and South America. Therefore, Infantino’s plan should appeal to Caf, Africa’s football governing body, which has for years been clamouring over the same matter.
However, while Infantino may be venturing out on an appeasement policy for the votes he received from the lesser footballing nations, he ought to put some brakes on. The World Cup, for all the clout and international appeal it has, runs the risk of being watered down by this idea of sudden increased representation.
The legacy of the World Cup has ridden on its exclusive nature. To get there has been one hell of a struggle, making participation in it, even the more auspicious. In fact, it is near sacred to be at the World Cup. You do not want to see that factor lost.
But once the qualification terms and conditions are loosened to allow more participants at that grand stage, the World Cup will easily lose its aura. The kind that has been built for decades because of the high standards benchmarked for this occasion.
This occasion needs the best and most competitive sides; not every Tom, Dick and Harry as affirmative action. And Infantino must have learn’t by now what doom this affirmative action move can spell.
As general secretary to former Europe’s football governing body (Uefa) boss, Michel Platini, they chose to reduce the number of football clubs from the top European leagues qualifying automatically to the Uefa Champions League in order to provide room for the clubs from the smaller footballing nations, making it into the group stages almost seven years ago.
What this did, was that there were so many little sides, with hardly any international or public appeal, save for that from their countries of origin, making it in the group stages. This was because Uefa changed its seeding process during the qualification stages to suit the smaller nation clubs.
Here, you would see Arsenal of England meet Udinese of Italy or Monaco of France and Athletic Bilbao of Spain, while Bate Borisov met Apoel Nicosia. So, while TV would benefit more from having both Arsenal and Udinese in the group stages, they would miss out on one or two depending on the match-ups.
But then, they would have to contend with having a Ludogorets and Bate Borisov, that do not sale much in terms of viewership. Although it is not a crime for these small teams qualifying for the Champions League, as it would not be if a Uganda made it to the World Cup, slots must be earned the hard way, to guard against watering down the value of the World Cup.
In addition, Infantino must ask himself one question: Why have most top football leagues not added to their numbers for over 20 years? The Serie ‘A’, Bundesliga, Premier League, La Liga and Ligue 1. It is about maintaining quality and standards.
The first World Cup I watched was Italia ’90. Then, there were 24 teams. Then in 1998, they were increased to 32 after carefully examining the level of the game across the globe, and how far it had grown. But it seems Infantino now wants to be eaten up by Sepp Blatter’s bug of being so much of a populist.
Following this without thorough examination may affect him, his legacy and cost the game generally. In cricket and rugby, for example, it is even tighter now climbing up the ladder. Without allowing much chuff, these sports are making sure they keep their major tournaments limited to only the best. Football, Infantino, must do the same.
jovi@observer.ug