charmander6000 posted...
You're just begging for collusion if you do 16 groups of 3 where the two playing teams can conspire to eliminate the non-playing team.
Obvious to everyone except the brain trust at FIFA, but don't worry - one of the potential workarounds they've discussed is not allowing any draws during the group stage, so every game would require a winner (by full-time or via penalty kicks).
"But couldn't they collude via a penalty kick victory?"
Well yes, but that'll invoke FIFA's plan B: a finger wagging and/or stern talking-to.