Only a fool would alter the World Cup format.. sadly we’re talking about FIFA

IF Arsenal are suffering poor results, it is usually Mesut Ozil’s fault. By the sound of things coming out of Germany, the same is true at international level.

Yet against South Korea, Ozil created more chances than any other player had in a single game in Russia.

Ozil has his faults, but he does not deserve to be a full-time scapegoat. TO think there are some bright sparks at FIFA, led by its president, who intend to change the format of the World Cup.

To think there some smart alecs who, after as enthralling a two weeks of football as you could wish for, want to rip up the blueprint that has produced such entertainment.

If there is one lesson to be gleaned from the group stages of Russia 2018, it is that this tournament does not need fixing.

Or improving, as Gianni Infantino (right, with Russian President Vladimir Putin) would have you believe.

How can you improve on a first phase that has delivered unremitting drama, compelling storylines and some irresistibly attractive football?

There has been the odd forgettable game – the goalless draw between France and Denmark being a notable dud – but that will always happen as the law of averages means at least one or two of eight four-team groups will be settled ahead of the final matches.

Imagine if, as Infantino is intending for a 2026 competition that is going to be spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico, the tournament starts with 16 groups of three.

Contrived contests abound.

Contrary to perception in some parts, FIFA executives do make some positive, bold decisions that deserve credit.

Using the Video Assistant Referee system was one such decision.

Those negative towards VAR have legitimate complaints about when it should or should not be implemented.

The fact is, though, that, in almost every instance it has been used, the correct decision has been reached.

The only obvious mistake will the handball decision against Cedric Soares that gave Iran a late penalty and a draw against Portugal, but, by then, the referee was completely frazzled by the non-stop histrionics. The relentless play-acting and injury-feigning, by the way, has been the one, significant scar so far.

But when VAR quickly corrects the most crucial officiating error – as it did in reversing the offside decision for the South Korean goal that signalled Germany’s departure – it is nigh on unfathomable that anyone would argue against its use.

The anti-var argument was that it will ruin football as a free-flowing, exciting spectacle. In general terms, has the last fortnight been ruined as a spectacle by VAR? Quite patently not.

That the Premier League is delaying its implementation is absurd, but VAR is not the star of the show here in Russia.

There has been no one star. Not Cristiano Ronaldo, (below, left) not Lionel Messi (below, centre), not Harry Kane (below, right), for all their dramatic interventions.

That quite a few stellar names have lived up to their pre-tournament billing has helped to make this tournament so enjoyable. The well-behaved, carouswas ing supporters who have made light of the logistical difficulties have helped make this tournament so enjoyable.

The squeezing of quality gaps between the qualified nations has helped make this tournament so enjoyable.

The attacking intent of most teams has helped make this tournament so enjoyable.

And it is all underscored by the fact that international football matters way more to these guys than club football.

As the stakes become win-or-bust, things might get cagier, but my guess is that this is a World Cup that will deliver the most compelling drama from start to finish.

In its current format, generally does.

Only a fool would want to change it. it