Quote:
Originally Posted by Itse
The price they paid for the games. The host gets to pick their opponent for the first game from within their group. It's a major reason why the host has only once lost the opening game. (2010).
The host also gets treated as a top country when forming the groups, giving them an easier path to the playoff stage. FIFA wants the host to stay in the games for as long as possible. It's good for the atmosphere of the games.
It's also not just a FIFA thing. Treating the hosts favorably is traditional in I would suspect all sports where that's reasonably possible.
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That was a draw:
But South Africa were of course the first host that failed to advance from their group. Being drawn in Pot A is a huge advantage for the hosts for sure.