It’s all in the numbers: Expanded World Cup brings more shocks, but heavyweights still rule
BOSTON, USA: The expanded 48-team World Cup has made giant-killings significantly more likely, according to experts, but the longer and more demanding tournament still favors the traditional heavyweight sides best equipped to sustain their level through five knockout rounds. FIFA expanded the tournament from 32 to 48 teams, adding more than 10 days to the schedule. A newly created round of 32 means teams must now survive an extra knockout match to lift the trophy, while eight third-placed finishers from the group stage advanced, creating more potential pathways for lower-ranked sides. “We have an additional knockout match where the stronger teams will have a chance of one in three, one in four, one in five to proceed.
