Craig & Gab GET HEATED 😳 ALL ABOUT the 2030 FIFA World Cup changes ⚽️ | ESPN FC

[@monsieurcherry]

Gab is spouting pure nonsense about FIFA being nice to South American fans. They only get 3 whole games, not like half the tournament is being held there. Pure greed and corruption by FIFA.

[@myelinatedaxon9035]

Right! Also, only the elite will be able to attend each one of those games in SouthAmerica, so saying that the true fans will be able to go is pure nonsense

[@Dude0000]

He’s off on everything I’ve heard him talk. He’s playing into the stereotype of Americans not understanding football.

[@xmari3goldx]

This is all about disqualifying CONMEBOL for bidding for the 2034 WC so Saudi gets a clean run at hosting. The fact that they all get to automatically qualify sweetens the deal. IDK how the spots will be allocated in CONMEBOL though. Argentina and Uruguay can be thought as most likely to qualify but when’s the last time Paraguay made a WC?

[@ishrendon6435]

​@xmari3goldx they won world cups stop acting like its xenophobic towards uruguay and argentina a white mostly nation smh 🤦 😒

[@yeawehorny]

​@@myelinatedaxon9035wrong. world cup tickets are a raffle system to avoid price gouging and avoid elites only from attending

[@stickybunnn]

one of the funniest segments ever 😂😂😂 Craig is right though. FIFA is just doing the dumbest things ever for money

[@JanetAfi-gj9bk]

They are both right . People will still fill those stadiums regardless of whatever travel they have to do

[@bo0gi3]

they moved the WC to December for Qatar strictly bc of money. They have no character

[@SS-up5sc]

the WC was already decided a while ago before they made the move to Winter for Qatar, their was a plan for them to cool the stadiums or design some weird cloud to cool the stadium but they realized it would still be too hot for the players, and it was too late by then to change it to another place cause Qatar had spent billions, it was the perfect move for the WC to be in winter but not for everyone else really@@bo0gi3

[@ousmansonko91]

​@@bo0gi3ohh shut up already.

[@samuraibirds917]

​@@bo0gi3 They did not move it to december for Qatar, they did it for the players. If you ever visited the region, you'd know that the weather is less extremely hot in december. That doesn't solely count for Qatar.

[@alexanderknaak6608]

Granting 6 teams automatic qualification is a bit crazy imo, it should be a real challenge to get to the world cup, but with this and extending it to 48 teams, it becomes a bit of a joke tbh.

[@wilko3017]

It’s pointless hosting part of the World Cup if your team isn’t in it.

[@alexanderknaak6608]

@@wilko3017 I get that, granting 6 teams the right to hosting is the problem imo.

[@monsieurcherry]

I sort of get the 48 team World Cup though because African teams are always screwed in the current format with only 5 spots

[@ericbrown1101]

Honestly this was the only issue I had with it. 6 automatic qualifiers? That potentially takes opportunity away from a lot of people. Granted, it's hard to see any of those teams not qualifying anyway (except maybe Paraguay) but still.

[@khylelewis]

it's really the last thing international football needed. as it's already kind of a joke.

[@averagejoe5016]

Craig is spot on here. We don’t need countries in different continents across the ocean is quite wild. Just choose 1 continent to host the whole thing and don’t make teams and players travel unnecessarily across the world.

[@limbeboy7]

Especially since South America just hosted in 2014. Just 3 world cups ago. It needs to go to Asia, America's, Africa, and Europe again before they get theirs

[@scorpio2330]

Lol...next world cup is in the America's...and where do you think 2018 world cup was played at? Russia...in Europe

[@SS-up5sc]

the point about the players sure, they will be troubled about it, but hey you don't always get to play for your country in a world cup they would be grateful about I think anyways, but for the fans point I think Gab is right, like its a legit dream for me to go to the WC if someday I make enough money to go, other than that I am okay watching it on TV really, and I think most of everyone is like that, so he's correct the people who usually go have more money to go so it doesn't matter as much for them

[@BelfastManUtdTherapy]

@@limbeboy7 good point!

[@BelfastManUtdTherapy]

guys every decision comes down to generating as much money as possible, its not about fans from here or there, and having 48 teams or whatever it is, is all about maximising profit margins. By 2040, there wont be qualifying, it'l be one long drawn out borefest

[@lwandilentaphane5719]

Spot on Craig. Supporters were left behind here

[@meanguy111]

Its time to come to terms that they never have and never will care about the little man

[@kimi3421]

Not the supporters in Uruguay and Paraguay who likely would never have got to see their team play a wc game live otherwise

[@myelinatedaxon9035]

​@@kimi3421yeah because the only game that will be played in their countries will be easily accessible to the everyday supporter... They will still have to watch it on tv

[@moderatemapper9440]

@@kimi3421yeah, if they cant afford to travel to watch a world cup game in another country i doubt they can do it when theres 1 game in their country.

[@LT-sz1fj]

@@myelinatedaxon9035they’ve got more of a chance of seeing it in there country then half way across the world right

[@eL--RaL]

If they want to celebrate 100 years of world cup then it should be Uruguay, the inaugural winners of the world cup in 1930.. That's the unprejudiced one here

[@adamforbes8556]

But isn’t Uruguay too small?

[@adamforbes8556]

It should be Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil

[@josefstalin3629]

Argentina was added because uruguay doesnt have enough stadiums to keep everyone, the main idea was for uruguay to have the opening and the final, but argentina having most matches. Unsure why paraguay was included, maybe because the conmebol president is from that country

[@Ultima-Signa]

@@adamforbes8556LOL… Brazil just had a World Cup in 2014…

[@bloodravenn8305]

You can't have two consecutive worlds cups in the same continent that's why Uruguay and the others can't host in 2030 after the US, Mexico and Canada did in 2030

[@Photosoflife]

Before we know it, Antarctica and Greenland will be co-hosting the World Cup. FIFA is just waiting on all the ice caps to melt first before accepting their joint bids.

[@rackspack]

What Gab isnt thinking about is the 3 "sucker" teams that end up in South America. There will be 3 teams qualifying that will end up having their first matches of the groups as away games in either Buenos Aires , Montevideo or Asuncion which is going to be a massive disadvantage to them. On top of that they will have to travel and will probably have hardly any of their own fans there for support. If they are small nations or nations that have hardly made a world cup before its a nightmare for the fans in terms of cost and time.

[@El_Chucho_Bravo]

To be fair the opening game is always an away game for one team, bc the host always plays first. I still get how it’s difficult traveling and all that, but there are always the other games. I feel like it affects the team more than the fans.

[@ismo9529]

Y'all are really mad just to be mad, the facts are there were 2 bids, one from Spain morocco and Portugal and the other from Uruguay Chile Argentina and Paraguay. South America would've never won the bid because africa and Europe would vote on the joint bid of Spain Portugal and morocco, but because it'll be the 100th anniversary they still wanted to include Uruguay, that's why they'll play the first 3 games in South America, after 10 days is when those South American countries will play their 2nd game in morocco Spain or Portugal meaning enough time to get used to the countries the world cup will be held in.

[@LaurenamiraRead]

I really appreciate what Craig is saying here. I’ve always wanted to go to the World Cup, but Qatar felt inaccessible. Knowing that the next two are spread across continents feels nearly impossible. Longing for the days of the 2014 Brazil World Cup again.

[@dannytallmage2971]

Just go to the games in Spain and Portugal then dummy.

[@harrismazari5484]

Umm how was Qatar in accessible lol its literally the closest world cup for the average human. Plus all the games were really close by one another too so a lot less travelling was involved. Unless you are in south America then your comment makes even less sense as you will actually get 3 games that you wouldn't otherwise have gotten.

[@morosz1159]

the next two spread across continents? Upcoming one is in one continent. with majority of games in usa. The next one is majority spain portugal and morocco, south america only has three games. Remind me how many games there are going to be in that world cup? or were you planning on going to every single one of those games?

[@Michael-st9ky]

The north american cup will be the most cost effective in travel. Our infrastructure is decent and trips across the continent is relatively cheap.

[@Robnas621]

Your comment makes no sense

[@Support-your-local-team]

This is just so that the only continents available for 2034 are Asia and Oceania and they can give it to Saudi Arabia.

[@jacoblind5390]

That’s part of it but it’s also about the big money in Europe. There was no way they were going to allow 3 straight cups to be held outside of Europe so they had to go with tbe Sp/Por/mor bid. And then they would just give lip service to the anniversary of 1930 by going bing them 3 matches.

[@ericbrown1101]

Yeah. The Saudis would've likely gotten 2038 even if they did South America in 2030 and Spain et al in 2034. But this allows them to accelerate it 4 years.

[@arsenioseslpodcast3143]

They will have the lowest attendance record ever. No one is going to garbage saudi@@ericbrown1101

[@kw____]

@@jacoblind5390 < It's probably mostly about the Saudis though. Fifa even changed their hosting conditions so that Saudi Arabia would qualify even with having less than half of the previously required stadiums to be a host. The world cup should never be held in Saudi Arabia in 34 especially with Quatar hosting the last one. While there may be other reasons this world cup will be held in Europe & SA (Which is stupid. They hold a small part in SA just to disqualify them from hosting. Stupid af), it's arguably pretty obvious that FIfa tries everything to eventually hold the world cup in Saudi Arabia and it's probably the main reason

[@jacoblind5390]

@@kw____ absolutely. They want it in SA more than anything. Making Connacht the only eligible host for 38 is just a side effect.

[@kristianfjordolesen8918]

If they want to celebrate the 100 years so bad (Which should happen). Then host the entire world cup in South America then. Then let Spain, Portugal and Morocco compete with Saudi for the 34 and 38 world cups.

[@charliedontsurf9155]

FIFA doesn't want anybody to compete with Saudi Arabia ! That is why they came up with this mess . Give some games to South America , Europe and Africa and they are out of the equation for 34/38 and you are left with Asia and Oceania !

[@icantthinkofacoolname1308]

Dream scenario 2030 Uruguay Argentina Paraguay 2034 Spain Portugal Morocco 2038 Greece Egypt Saudi

[@jacoblind5390]

See that makes sense. But the big money in Europe couldn’t allow 3 straight cups to be help outside of Europe. So 2030 had to be there.

[@ericbrown1101]

​@@icantthinkofacoolname1308that makes a ton of sense, which is why FIFA won't do it.

[@marcelox123]

Money talks.

[@davinchristian7295]

Craig is right but gab is also right. Most of the tickets get sold to corporate people anyways then the fans get some tickets. A lot of fans will find it hard to travel from Europe to South America but regardless the stadiums are gonna be filled. The average person won't watch a world cup game live in the stadium unless they are extremely lucky.

[@crazechill1]

Gab is an out of touch Journo, who need to go outside and touch grass. This is robbing a world cup from south american people. I'm sure they will give the World Cup to Saudi in 2034 without contest.(After taking Money ofcourse)

[@dimitar297]

Very lucky to get a ticket. They can't give WWC tickets away however. They need to kidnap and brainwash WCC spectators.

[@jimiafolabi6998]

I'm going to have to disagree on this. My friends and I have been to the last few World Cups. We take 2 weeks off work and head out there. We're not super rich or anything. We just plan and save. And getting tickets aren't that difficult or expensive. It's about 200 for tickets. Having it in multiple counties make it A LOT more expensive

[@shxtmain]

@@jimiafolabi6998200 what?

[@shannonballspen1s482]

Well Gabs point proves Craigs point more. Theyre making the events for super rich corporate types and not fixing the problem of normal die hard fans wanting to attend as well.

[@davepries8553]

Gab, you proved Craig's point, by saying the World Cup is just for corporate billionaires. FIFA is so corrupt and Gab just keeps carrying their water.

[@ML-dx4ux]

Idont think he’s arguing that they’re greedy, it’s more about the fan argument, Craig is upset for the fans and players who will have to travel , while Gab is thinking about the fans who probably could never afford to travel Ican see both points

[@RoverUnited]

In 50 years, there will be 190 teams play in 190 different countries, for 1 year while the leagues CL, nations league, euros, African cup of nation, … is going on simultaneously😂

[@scorpio2330]

I mean it does make sense...in 50 yrs we going to have robots playing instead of real humans

[@kadarabdullahi]

It's the World Cup. It should be hosted in every country in the world at the same time. FIFA--One day, probably 😂

[@avikellerman4539]

This is Fifa's wet dream. Globalization complete.

[@BobbyMarley718]

Gab is pathetic, this is just a money grab by FIFA. He’s saying the regular fan is already struggling to go to WC’s so who cares if a lot more struggle.

[@harrismazari5484]

how is it just a money grab by FIFA. How do fifa make money here?

[@santiagoch2451]

It's a single game, they could just stay in Europe and miss almost nothing

[@Michael-st9ky]

@@harrismazari5484more demand for tickets since the games will be relatively close to most of south america, europe and north africa

[@ismo9529]

Y'all are really mad just to be mad, the facts are there were 2 bids, one from Spain morocco and Portugal and the other from Uruguay Chile Argentina and Paraguay. South America would've never won the bid because africa and Europe would vote on the joint bid of Spain Portugal and morocco, but because it'll be the 100th anniversary they still wanted to include Uruguay, that's why they'll play the first 3 games in South America, after 10 days is when those South American countries will play their 2nd game in morocco Spain or Portugal meaning enough time to get used to the countries the world cup will be held in.

[@rachelnatener8943]

Like Gab said, a lot fans have already been priced out of the World Cup. So what does FIFA do? price fans even more out of the World Cup. I get Gab is trying to be realistic, but making something worse because it's already bad should not be acceptable.

[@andrewroberts7428]

exactly, it's a slippery slope fallacy

[@smanslam1]

I totally agree with Gab on his analysis on fans. However, Craig is also right that they are making it more difficult for fans to travel. Also, Shaka is correct that FIFA is trying to appease too many people, but then again, it is the "WORLD" Cup.

[@alanduncan1980]

Well, it's the "WORLD" Cup because it features teams from all over the world, and not because it's played all over the world. I don't really care where it's played. It could be in Greenland and Iceland for all I care. My country never qualifies and I'll just watch it on TV anyway.

[@yuriydee]

Fifa isnt trying to appease anyone. They are trying to make sure Saudis get the 2034 WC by disqualifying South America from bidding that year with these 3 games....

[@RasenRendanX]

​@@yuriydeewhy just pick the Saudis instead of doing all that

[@riccardobrogelli3550]

Marcotti is obviously on FIFA's payroll. He defends them through thick and thin.

[@tatendacharleszindoga7542]

Did Gab just say Scotland plays 3 games and they are out 😂😂

[@ericktrejo2529]

Gab is absolutely stupid to think fake fans show up to World Cup games, let alone regular season. Craig is absolutely right on what he’s saying , he’s speaking facts about fans, qualifications for the WC and pricing. Might as well host the WC for everyone if we’re giving it to everyone

[@realmadridforever77]

And somehow Gab thinks that “regular people” in these South American countries will show up to the games 🤦🏻‍♂️…how much does he think the tickets will cost? What an idiot…

[@swoosh.24]

Let alone fans...what about players? Will such long travel work in their favor or against their performance?? Gab is outright dumb in this😂

[@Daft_Dog]

Yes fake and very casual fans show up to the games. It's been like that for a while now. There are too many celebrities going just so they can post it on their social media, getting more involved than they should ( Salt Bae). It's all about money now. Craig's argument about the WC in Mexico is silly because that was a very different time when going to the games were affordable.

[@Daft_Dog]

​@@swoosh.24The travel won't be a big deal. It's only one game.

[@amerwaseem3735]

​@@Daft_Dogyea I'm with Gab on this..

[@TheKnightdiamond]

I gained a lot of respect for Craig! Disgusting what FIFA are doing!

[@libaninho.]

So, the teams playing in Latin America will suffer severe jet lag in the opening ceremony. The champions league format is changing to add more games. A world cup in 3 continents? Every viral social movement expressed during games to be forgotten months later. Honestly, football is politics.

[@manuelaparcedo417]

why would they have severe jetlag a week later?

[@anti-genocide]

Except that it isn't in 3 continents. South America will get only 3 games of their national teams out of 100 games and they should be grateful tbh cause otherwise they won't have any game since the last world cup held there only in 2014.

[@icantthinkofacoolname1308]

I was really hoping for the joint bid of Iceland Greenland and the faroe island smh

[@Michael-st9ky]

Does iceland have a stadium that sits 60k+?

[@jeremypagan18]

Gab is crazy! I been to the last 2 world cups and there are soooooo many regular supporters there. Some stay a month and work remote. Some are there just for group games. And it’s not crazy expensive if you get tickets through the normal outlet of the fifa application. Total I spent for the last two world cups were $5k each. PLENTY of normal ppl go and stay at hostels and airbnbs.

[@Chinaboatman]

what are you talking about regular people 'working remote'? You cant 'remotely'work in a factory, a warehouse, a garage, a supermarket, a nursery, a school, a hospital, a post office, a building site, a bus or railway station, cleaning streets, buildings or public spaces. I suppose your definition of 'normal' is wealthy middle class office workers or people running independant businesses :P You truly are a Jeremy.

[@barstar888]

@@Chinaboatmanmy man, my dad worked in a factory for 30 years and he had over a month’s vacation so to believe working class people who have paid their dues can’t get time off to vacation shows how actually out of touch you are. Working class doesn’t mean slavery and at least in my country you’re entitled to vacation pay starting at 3 months in of being a full time employee. Gab is outta touch, normal people can plan 4 years out to travel for a month but to ask them to skip continents and significant time zones in a matter of days with all sorts of accommodation considerations is not a positive for “normal” supporters.

[@Benny_000]

@@Chinaboatman Are you an American as well just like Gab? In Europe it's very normal for people to have 5 to 6 weeks a year of holiday and they plan their holiday ahead and take it all in one go. There's definitely many regular people visiting the World Cup.

[@VARMOT123]

Working class don't work remotely you clown those are upper middle class jobs you are talking about

[@VARMOT123]

​@@barstar888not really lol . They are not working class . They are middle class to upper middle class

[@lilbaz8732]

Gab you work in europe. It's required by law, that if you work full time you get at least a month off work each year.

[@TravelTheCraftyLife]

That Scotland 3 game hit killed me 😂😂 he stayed quiet after that🤫😅

[@DK412724]

Logistical nightmare for the fans, players, and organizers. The different time zones, jet lag, travel distance, etc. all can create unfair disadvantages for certain teams in a high stakes match up. Also, I don't like having 6 teams having home field advantage during group play on top of everything else.

[@khalilshahyd9063]

This is all about Saudi jumping the line. This is what the world cup is. It's about luxury box sales and sponsors nothing else.

[@sirsplicer]

Gab is right. For most fans the World Cup is too expensive

[@AsianGentleman]

Couldn't you argue it got this expensive because they spread it across 6 countries? I mean... if your country only hosts 3 games for example, mathematically you might as well charge as much as you can cause you're only going to get 3 games.

[@Resonance971]

​@@AsianGentlemangab js right in the sense what regular job gives you a month off work to go in anyways?

[@corteaux81]

Gab is talking bollocks. We went to France, South Korea, Germany and Russia. Most of us aren’t exactly making cash hand over fist.

[@gtmafiaa]

​@@Resonance971people save for that shirtt

[@musicotensai]

@@Resonance971some people willing to lose their job, retirees or people that can switch shifts like nurses, police, firemen etc…

[@benplasier346]

Craig is spot on - the boys and I go every 4 years for the Socceroos

[@FrannB]

3:58 Same thing happens to people from South America when the world cup is as far as it is Europe for them.

[@vjaska]

Difference is usually it has been a single country or two countries next to each other - throwing in three counties halfway across the world from the other is a completely different scenario. Why not simply hold the tournament in Uruguay, Paraguay & Argentina only to appease these South Americans who want a World Cup on their doorstep?

[@FrannB]

@@vjaska They were going to do that, but they change everything...

[@darknebula455]

He is not saying " dont host it other.than Europe ". But this is too much. & the main point is FIFA making all these UCL type tournament cuz They have fixed a spot for Saudis which ofcourse is cuz of massive corruption same like Qatar.

[@charliedontsurf9155]

@@darknebula455 Bingo ! It is all about Saudi Arabia and FIFA execs getting their payday !

[@samuraibirds917]

​@@darknebula455 What's wrong with having a fixed spot for the World Cup? The Ronaldo transfer has proven to be revoluntionary, similarly how NY Cosmos was able to sign Pele even though he could sign for top European clubs. His 2 1/2 seasons in New York put U.S. football (soccer) on a path to hosting the World Cup in 1994 and launching Major League Soccer two years later. He literally paved the way for football in the U.S. and its international presence.

[@edislettuce4218]

fifa ain't gonna stop me watching the games on illegal streaming sites

[@leonsolace7]

My uncle Penaldus will still be trying to get a WC KO goal with gray hair and robotic knees 😭

[@monsieurcherry]

Penalty for Argentina

[@josefstalin3629]

😂😂😂

[@avikellerman4539]

"Penaldus" sounds like something your mom would like playing with

[@ezrabasil2521]

He is not your uncle

[@eddycarpenter8989]

I recently took the 12-hour flight from Buenos Aires to Barcelona and I can tell you.... That flight is no joke.

[@NoirFan84]

Burley is right & I knew the American raised one of the two would be the one defending this garbage format. They don't care about tradition, the difficulty for fans or diluting the excitement, it's all about greed.

[@mezzala1014]

There is no American on the panel… your comment is confusing.

[@NoirFan84]

​​@@mezzala1014Did I say he was American? I said he was RAISED American. Nobody raised in the UK with a football culture would be in support of them messing around with The World Cup format we've all been raised on, recognise & have fond memories of.

[@christopherwilliams2351]

We don’t claim gab. At least the North American World Cup is in the same continent. This is the dumbest thing ever

[@harrismazari5484]

True that is why the british teams do not win anything because they do not want to change the tradition of always being second best@@NoirFan84

[@limirl]

​@@mezzala1014he's a septic listen to his accent, just coz he was born and spent 5 mins in Italy doesn't make him italian

[@cheesesandwich1033]

“How to destroy something great” presented by FIFA

[@Dellenyum]

Valid points from both sides Sadly greed is at the heart of this when FIFA is involved

[@richulme2712]

Completely with Craig. What about the environment too? A World Cup should be in one country

[@davidt3956]

Gab, who's trips are paid by his company, is clueless about what the actual supporters have to deal with. In addition, flying across the ocean for soccer matches? That stinks for players. Thumb down just for Gab's inanity.

[@realmadridforever77]

We are also ignoring the fact that now more teams will have home advantage to increase their chances of winning 3 valuable points in the group stage…with no consideration for the opposing teams

[@TheEyeball37]

There are so many things to consider that it's easy to leave some out.

[@tonytocanova]

I went to the 2018 World Cup because Peru made it after 36 years. I’ll probably never be back, spent most of my savings, and it was for me and my friends, a once in a lifetime experience. Craig is spot on. Gab just lives in his rich people bubble and can’t relate to the average fan.

[@davidelias13]

Agree!

[@gwanor]

48 teams...yuck....6 teams granting automatic qualification....yuck again

[@justthetwoofus.]

If they wanted to commemorate the Centennial of the World Cup they would’ve had it all in Uruguay and South America not in 3 separate continents.

[@adebisioluwabukunmi5470]

I'm gonna go on a vacation rather than go see some world cup. I sit in my couch and choose which games to watch...

[@CrociatoAzzurro]

Give me a break, Gab. Many people have 3 and 4 Week Vacation Time! And most do indeed just go for 2 Weeks. I'm with Craig.

[@KevinDaGalera]

Gab is so out of touch! I am Brazilian and when there is a world cup, working class Brazilians save money and do everything they can to go to wherever the world cup is happening. Now I am living in Australia and the exact thing happens here. Australians have a bit more money but yet because of distance they still have to save a lot of money to go to a world cup. GOING TO A WORLD IS EVERY FOOTBALL FANS DREAMS! Fans is the reason why football exists! Gab forgot what the purpose of the game is.

[@Joswag]

Should have just made it in Uruguay I don’t want a World Cup in Autumn/Winter

[@Joswag]

Really? Does it get that hot over there?

[@monsieurcherry]

The occasional “winter” World Cup is fine

[@seamuscumm]

If you have more than two host countries then automatic qualification should be off the table.

[@friendlybane]

I'm now convinced that Gab once received a free hospitatlity trip from FIFA, or something. He ALWAYS defends FIFA no matter what.

[@richabrams6240]

In 1994 I paid $25 to see a World Cup game. I can't imagine what it would cost me today.

[@mynamejeff4683]

$25 dollars back in the day could supply 2 weeks worth of groceries so that logic doesn’t apply due to inflation 😭

[@richabrams6240]

In 1994 $25 would supply 2 weeks of groceries for a hamster@@mynamejeff4683

[@MarkHogan994]

Gab is unbelievably unlikable and it's clear he only sees things from his perspective. He doesn't care about the fans, and having never played a single second of football himself he also doesn't ever care about the strain on players. He always supports these dumb moves by FIFA and UEFA that dilute the competitions all for the sake of money. The Euros, the World Cup, and the Champions League are all actively being made worse.

[@richardcahill1234]

He hates the Premier League because it dethroned Serie A. He supports anything that annoys English football.

[@Michael-cb5nm]

He is the kid who criticized your school team but never played a minute…

[@avikellerman4539]

"He only sees things from his perspective". It's even worse than that. He's a sleazy, condescending, obnoxious loudmouth. And a corporate shill. I've seen 2 or 3 of these World Cup format debates on ESPN already. And every time Gab basically just defends whatever move Fifa wants to make. Whatever they plan to do, whatever changes, he's always all onboard. The expansion to 48 teams - He's all onboard Dodgy choices regarding host nations - He's all onboard Having 3 host nations - All on board Having 6 host nations across 3 continents in a logistical nightmare for fans and players? The loudmouth sleazeball is all onboard. Personally I can't stand this guy. His personality is just too grating and annoying. And then combine that with the fact he's a terrible pundit and also a corporate shill and "yes" man and it's just over the top.

[@giftfolique464]

He has a politician's character

[@mysecondchannelable]

being a Moroccan American. it's a double win for me WC 2026 and WC2030

[@eL-RaL]

Craig is here crying while infantino is making the 💴 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@insideinside9450]

I seriously hope a lot of good players reject the call up to this world cup. This is F O O L I S H N E S S

[@darknebula455]

Both are making more money then u unemployed

[@LievenSerge]

@@darknebula455 wow, you are pathetic

[@kadarabdullahi]

​@@insideinside9450If they didn't reject playing in December in Qatar, there's no way anyone is rejecting this.

[@marconeves1979]

Craig's right. Period. EDIT: nope, Gab is right too! EXCELLENT video :D

[@idderdet1985]

Hey guys, have you looked at the world map? the distances between Morocco, Spain and Portugal are very short (which at a time in history used to even be one big empire, at least partially). They are much shorter than between Mexico, USA and Canada, or between distances in Russia or other previous world cups. Also, there would only be 3 games (only 3) in the south american countries, and the whole rest in Morocco/Spain/Portugal. So what's all this fuss about?

[@ivnarc6430]

Absolutely ridiculous to have those 3 games in south america. One may argue one game in uruguay may be justified but the other two are bs

[@JustoHaun]

@@ivnarc6430i agree what have paraguay done in world cup or international football ever to deserve a 100th year annivesary wc game and argentina maybe bc they win the wc but even then it makes no sense just 1 game in uruguay or none at all and let the wc continue as normal

[@FetsumBerhaneDire]

No one is complaining about that man. They’re complaining about the South American games

[@francescototti10]

The new format is awful & having 6 countries host a World Cup is disgusting. They’re actually ruining the greatest competition in history. AWFUL

[@mikepearson3226]

Follow the money people. Follow the money. The fans are last in line .

[@keltih931]

Football was so simple and understandable back then, nowadays all these people does is ruining it and destroying the beautiful game 😢

[@tommymots]

Craig Craig Craig! For the people!!

[@angelosantamaria2859]

Every time FIFA or UEFA change something, it’s for the worst. Not only to football as a sport, but also, if not mostly, to the people who grew up with it and loved it as a popular, people’s game. All that’s left is a taste of cynicism, corruption and money.

[@bradleyjc123]

I live in Australia. Everyone gets a month off work lol. I dont like that Gab admitted this is basically for the elites and corporates. With Craig on this one.

[@ilovevegimite]

We just hosted the Women's World Cup so how about letting us host the mens? Players and supporters would love to come here for a Men's World Cup instead of this here there and everywhere nonsence.

[@FrancesWilliams-coyi]

Exactly, some European countries get same, Craig is right

[@rogerstephenroth8073]

This idea of having a few games in South America is quite embarrassing for Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile. If all these countries are going to be hosting, then let the countries host half the groups in South America the first round and the other half be in Europe along with the elimination round. Or another thing they could do is allow the first half of the tournament being hosted in all South America and then the elimination rounds in Portugal, Spain and Morocco. That is a option with a multi continent tournament. That would seem like something more logical for 2030 World Cup if they really want to do a united tournament and split it up in phases.

[@richardloach610]

Shaka is so cool. Why on earth can't we have a Caribbean World Cup 2030? Venues could be Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, Grenada, Haiti, DR, Bahamas, Puerto Rico. It would be perfect, small holiday islands with party atmosphere hosting each group, short flights between islands, calypso and reggae for the World cup theme song

[@garrysutters1835]

I have no idea what the footballing infrastructure is like in the carribean, but I imagine everything would have to be newly built to host the World Cup.

[@MrdotKstar]

I like this idea. They would need a lot of money to build decent football stadiums though. Especially for spectator accommodation.

[@nelzsonjr]

Bro included Haiti 😂

[@ItsYuhBoyyyy]

We literally do not have the facilities to host a major world tournament in the Caribbean my brother😂

[@a.w.b.9971]

@@ItsYuhBoyyyy Yeah we don't even have inter-island travel at an affordable price, yet alone stadiums big enough. Only thing we do have covered is the hotels/resorts

[@hmdwgf]

I can understand why they want the opening match in Uruguay (the whole 100th World Cup anniversary thing) but I don't understand why they are including Argentina and Paraguay. But at least it is just three games- it's not like half the tournament will be in South America and the other half in Iberia and Morocco.

[@Tom0000]

I agree with Gab. Not many middle-class people will travel from South America to Europe to watch all the games. The alternative would be to have it all in Portugal/Spain/Morocco and have the South American fans not be able to watch anything in person.

[@_Forza]

I have never looked up world cup tickets/expenses and I never will. Might be one of the most terrifying things to witness.

[@cyborg24x66]

Gab is absolutely right. It will be easier for the normal fans to be able to watch world Cup games. It will be easier for Africans to travel to morroco and the same for South Americans and so for Europeans. We hv to be ready to accept change and see the positive in things.

[@mynamejeff4683]

Lmao no. Holding different stages in multiple countries is a disaster when it comes to fans turning up. Not only that the players will be jet lagged due to the travel. Not even to mention the fact that it ruins the actual qualification stages of the World Cup since now multiple countries will be given a free pass to enter the World Cup

[@kingsportsone1010]

Craig really won this argument! Nedum represented my view though my couch is comfy 🤣🤣🤣😂

[@darhaha3391]

Gab is right that it's expensive and getting time off is hard. But you got a LONG time to plan ahead. People save money, people save their off days. People actually struggle to attend it because football is their life. But having 6 host countries or even 3 host countries makes it so hard. Just give it to one country and be done with this. Portugal, Spain or Morocco... each of them would have made a great solo host. They are magnificent countries with rich culture and great tourism attractions. Why do we need co-hosting?

[@spiritemirates]

Many people can work remotely these days. They don't need to take a month off

[@darhaha3391]

@spiritemirates blue collar wage workers who are the lifeblood of football, in most developed countries and some developing ones have the option to roll-over their unused off days into the next year. They can accumulate 30, 40, 50 days if they want to.

[@spiritemirates]

@@darhaha3391 ok so there you go. Another reason Gab is wrong

[@SLSAMG]

48 teams, lmao... disgusting.

[@lerma218]

Gab is undoubtedly right on his take. The games being played in South America will give a chance to those who might not have the money to travel elsewhere to support their country. As for those other supporters, if they have the money they will easily travel in between continents. If not then they can set up camp in Spa, Port, or Mor to catch the remaining games for their respective country.

[@2004NEGRO]

Gab has been bought out by fiifa and scared to speak out on Fifa. I went to 2010 world cup from Australia. Thanks to my brother who got a compo pay out and I was anle to take a few weeks off work while being a carpenter. It was a dream come true to see Chile play and Australia play in a world cup. Like Graig said it is a bucket list for many. Gab is way out of touch with the real regular, joe blow, true fans

[@thacrypt223]

Another world cup that will be out of my reach. I agree with Craig on all his points 100%.

[@harrismazari5484]

how will it be out of reach? where do you live?

[@dashawnballard52]

@@harrismazari5484it will cost over 5k to travel

[@you6795]

You have 7 years to save up

[@thacrypt223]

Not spending apartment money on a world cup sorry. One country world cup is already expensive as is.

[@harrismazari5484]

Knew it you will just run away like most arsenal fans do. Which country do you live in? can't answer a simple question lol.@@thacrypt223

[@StylistecS]

They should have never done the duo nations hosting because this was always going to happen. Just put the World Cup in Uruguay if they are going to do this. Craig is absolutely on the money on this.

[@Lew99900]

Strange; you’d think Gab would be aware that we have 28 days statutory annual leave in the UK, and get paid off our employer. The idea that the only people who go to a World Cup are spending 20k is so out of touch from Gab. I have already started saving for the euros in Germany next year to make sure I can go.

[@saralgupta5250]

World Cup normally runs more than 28 days and you wouldn’t be taking all of them at once?

[@oliverboisen7475]

Ironic aswell considering Gab has never had to pay for a World Cup trip

[@Lew99900]

@@saralgupta5250 Plenty of people take them all at once. I’m saving 15 days and going for 3 weeks. Not everybody who goes to these events go the whole hog, some go for the groups, some go for the knockouts.

[@TheeChronicle]

Alot of countries give you 4 weeks off per year. What is gab talking about?

[@ha-rr3pe]

The dumbest idea ever 😂

[@goated4684]

Stop moaning. It's gonna be great. It's gonna be better than 2026 wc. The distances between Spain, Portugal and Morocco isn't big.

[@SergioRPerez]

Craig is just crying. On this one I agree with Gab. This is a nice way to celebrate the 100 years of the World Cup. Uruguay is one of the OG of this tournament and still is a force. For a country of 3.5 million people having a game in their nation is AWESOME!

[@danb6699]

No it’s not, they only host the group stage

[@Michael-st9ky]

@@danb6699I understand, they host only the first 3 games

[@daviddesousa6450]

Its crazy that these countries are going to host one game and qualify for wc. Six teams qualifing auto is crazy

[@ezepuesomtochukwu1617]

I just love the fact that GAB is the only real person on this panel .. the rest are always loving to be politically correct and negative and mostly bitter .. imagine if the old guy was here to backup Craig 😭😭😂😂

[@txnycali]

Besides the fact that this will be a logistical headache, it also is going to ruin the spectacle. I could have actually seen my self traveling to Uruguay and spending a week there, not just enjoying the matches but the country as well. It feels less special knowing that the competition will be shipped off to somewhere else in two days. They're treating the world cup like a cheap traveling carnival, rather than a special Cirque du Soleil event

[@rishbademha]

People said Qatar was terrible idea. Turned out the best wc I can remember. The safest and least traveled between distance

[@Support-your-local-team]

And only 6,500 dead slave workers, what a result.

[@heyitsmedammit]

That Qatar is the best world cup you can reminder is your tragedy.

[@rishbademha]

I was there and the fans loved it. Everything was so close and it’s the safest country I ever been to

[@charliedontsurf9155]

@@rishbademha Never seen a World Cup with more empty seats !

[@jaysmith2858]

I'm sure all the immigrants in Qatar that suffered or even died as a result of that country being allowed to host that event also think it was the best ever World Cup.

[@LT-sz1fj]

The millions of fans from those South American countries will love having the chance to see World Cup football in their countries

[@mamadousy9632]

FIFA is a joke so 3 counties got to qualify automatically because they get to host one game at home

[@AbdallahBouzalim]

Lol but û didn't say that about 3 countries in world cup 2026

[@benjaminaraya8073]

The difference is they are hosting the whole thing and not just one game

[@wilko3017]

In this day and age a lot of countries can’t afford or don’t want to host the whole event, build new stadiums and infrastructure etc. multiple countries hosting is a solution, but on 2 different continents for one WC is a bit too much.

[@basquat76]

3 continents

[@farm9052]

FIFA has rejected Portugal-Spain for years, even Qatar got priority. And we all know how legendary that World Cup would be. This just ruins it

[@eL-RaL]

Craig for the last time stop crying 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@justinfinn4861]

brother get a job youve commented three times on a video released 2 mins ago you didnt even watch it loser lmao

[@insideinside9450]

I agree with Craig.

[@charleswidmore1071]

It should only be in south america. This is ridiculous. When is uruguay paraguay and argentina not good enough? Europe and morocco doesnt need this. Nor shud they have anything to do with 100 years as the host.

[@migueldiclaiu]

I think the issue is the distance between South America and Europe. Morocco is very, very close to Spain about 20km. The distance between Mexico and Canada is around 100 times more.

[@jacoblind5390]

No real surprise that Europe got the cup. No way the big money there would allow 3 straight cups to be held outside of Europe. Putting the 3 matches in South America is just insulting to the entire continent. What I want to know now is how the intercontinental playoff will work. It was supposed to be that the host region gets two teams into the playoff. Who gets that now.

[@gregorio5543]

At this point they should just let the group stage be played at a stadium in the "home" game of each side and then have the knockouts be played in one country. Its ridiculous already how its become.

[@WorldpeaceWW]

I’m really hating this 720p It’s hurting my eyes and absolutely ridiculous

[@TheKaradras]

Why not just give all the tournament to Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay ?!?! I am all for celebrating 100yrs so why not ??? With this "brilliant" idea these 3 teams are put at quite the disadvantage especially for games 2 & 3 from group stage - we see from the WC qual. that players need 3-4days to readjust and they wont have it in this competition. Just another proof (as if we needed it) to show how corrupt and inadequate FIFA is

[@psumwahn6281]

Why is it not just in Uruguay?

[@frankelectrik]

Lesotho will never host a game. Let’s give them at least one. 👍👍

[@jackcarvalho8362]

Agreed 100% the whole cup should be one country no 3 countries. Yes, I live in Canada but it doesn't matter.

[@thetruekazu]

There are plenty of companies who offer sabbaticals for their employees who stay X amount of years and some are up to a month. I know many many people in the US who are planning ahead and planning to take their entire sabbatical to travel and watch the world cup.

[@AANDYist]

GAB is so out of date on this one. I have been to 3 world cups and went for 2 weeks each time.same as 60% the fans and new ones come over for the knockouts. most deff don't book for a month especially in a knockout competition as might not even qualify out the group etc.people worry about knockouts when theve made the knockouts and try move things around at home to see if can make it poss a bit longer

[@AdrianAdrian-sg2tj]

Ridiculous.... imagine the costs for a family?? Unbelieveable

[@harrismazari5484]

okay whcih family? give some specifications. How big is the family, whats their annual income and what their annual savings are etc. And i can give you a plan on how to follow the world cup. Not really hard if you ahve more than 10 brain cells.

[@manyamaggot]

I like that gab says uruguay the correct way