00:00FIFA should reduce Africa's World Cup sports because they're lowering the quality of the
00:05tournament. That was the controversial opinion of Italy's head coach after Africa was awarded
00:1010 spots at the World Cup, while Italy itself struggled to qualify. Following the game's global
00:17growth, FIFA decided to increase the number of participating teams at the World Cup from 32 to
00:2348 to accommodate more countries. Europe's allocation increased from 13 to 16, Africa's
00:30rose from 5 to 9 direct slots, South America rose from 4.5 to 6, North America to 6, while
00:37Oshinia for the first time received a direct qualification spot. Justified claims that it
00:43was unfair for African nations to receive 9 direct spots, while higher-ranked European teams were
00:49forced to battle through difficult playoffs, Africa did the talking on the pitch. By the end of the
00:55group stage, 9 out of its 10 representatives reached the knockout stage, recording a 90% success rate
01:02compared to Europe's 80%. Africa's rise has been years in the making, built on sustained investment
01:10in youth development and stronger domestic leagues, and contrary to the claim that it would lower the
01:16quality of the tournament, the continent has proved that it belongs on football's biggest stage.
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