# In Focus-Parley | Has the 48-team World Cup made the tournament better?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/in-focus-by-the-hindu-421346/in-focus-parley-has-the-48-team-world-cup-made-the-tournament-better
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/in-focus-by-the-hindu-421346/in-focus-parley-has-the-48-team-world-cup-made-the-tournament-better.md
Podcast: [In Focus by The Hindu](https://stenobird.com/podcast/in-focus-by-the-hindu-421346)
Published: 2026-07-02T13:11:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.megaphone.fm/THGU2332549194.mp3
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.megaphone.fm/THGU2332549194.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/in-focus-by-the-hindu-421346/episodes/in-focus-parley-has-the-48-team-world-cup-made-the-tournament-better
Duration seconds: 1634

## Resource

In January 2017, when FIFA expanded the World Cup to 48 teams, starting with the 2026 edition, there were mixed feelings. Many welcomed the move, arguing that the flagship event of the planet’s most popular sport should have more than just 32 outfits. But there was criticism too, for many felt that the increase would dilute the quality of football. What does evidence from the ongoing World Cup in North America say? Here we discuss the question. Guests: Pradhyum Reddy and Lallianzuala Chhangte Host: N. Sudarshan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

## Actions

- request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/in-focus-by-the-hindu-421346/episodes/in-focus-parley-has-the-48-team-world-cup-made-the-tournament-better/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.
- read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/in-focus-by-the-hindu-421346/in-focus-parley-has-the-48-team-world-cup-made-the-tournament-better.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.

A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed.

## Transcript

Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.