Problem
Beginning with the 2026 World Cup, the leadership of FIFA has made a decision to 'expand' the size of the World Cup from its current size of 32 teams that qualify, to 48 teams in 2026 and beyond. Examine and respond to the following questions:
a) From your own research, how did FIFA come to this decision? What (or who) drove this decision to expand, and what are the potential benefits (and risks) associated with this change? After you have listed several, focus on two benefits (or risks) that you believe 'stand out' from all the others. Why do these stand out to you?
b) As you look around the globe at the game of 'football' and how regions other than North America (and the US in particular) will be impacted by this change--the expansion to a 48-team World Cup, select a region (other than North America) and describe how this change will impact/benefit that region from a football, economic, social, etc. perspective. Who stands to gain, and why?