Why were the squads increased to 23 players in the 2002 World Cup?

The expansion of World Cup squads from 22 to 23 players in the 2002 FIFA World Cup marked a significant change in the regulations of this competition. At any time you can try bet on 1xBet online, and use this platform to wager on these major tournaments too.

This decision was influenced by several factors that aimed to improve the overall experience for 3 main groups of people:

  • teams;
  • players;
  • and fans.

One of the key reasons for this change was to enhance squad depth and flexibility. When a World Cup is coming, you can try an online bet on 1xBet on who is likely to be selected for the tournament too.

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More flexibility

With the previous limit of 22 players, teams had limited room for maneuverability when dealing with injuries or suspensions during the tournament. Expanding the squad to 23 players allowed national teams to carry 1 extra player, providing more options for coaches and helping them address unforeseen challenges. In a tournament where the margin between success and failure can be razor-thin, this extra flexibility was seen as a positive development. The 1xbet.ug/live/ platform is also capable of providing wagering opportunities on everything that FIFA World Cup players do.

Injuries are an unavoidable part of sports, and in a tournament as grueling as the World Cup, the risk of players getting injured is significant. The addition of 1 more player per squad acted as a safeguard against losing key players due to injuries. At 1xBet you can place wagers on who is likely to miss a FIFA World Cup too.

Evolution of the game

Another important factor in expanding the squads was the evolution of the game itself. Football has become more physically demanding over the years, and matches at the World Cup are played at an intense pace. If you love this sport, you can watch 1xBet football live while placing wagers on extraordinary matches too.

With the addition of more matches in the knockout stages due to the tournament’s expansion from 24 to 32 teams, players needed more rest. Having 1 extra player allows teams to rotate and maintain performance levels. This move towards greater inclusivity allowed smaller nations to be more competitive by having a larger talent pool at their disposal. There are live football bets at 1xBet, where matches from major competitions can be watched too.

Stadium

The 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan was the first held in Asia, in vastly different weather conditions than previous tournaments. An expanded squad of 23 players allowed for greater adaptability, as teams could bring in players with specific attributes suited to the varying conditions. They included heat and humidity in some venues and cooler temperatures in others.

 

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