I also believe that football these days has changed compared to football in the past.
Nowadays, it is not just football that is involved, but there are other aspects that are also used, for example publicity/merchandising, several top players, from time to time appear on TV, participating in some commercial of products or other things like that.
Unlike football in the past, where basically the main objective is become a winner.
Oh, I almost forget ... get ready guys, because I'm sure that several teams will be prepared for the next World Cup, and I have no doubt that some small and unknown teams will surprise many people!
There you are absolutely right, personally I am very excited that my country's team can go to a World Cup, we have never been to a World Cup and that is quite painful, of course what happens is that the CONMEBOL tie is another thing, facing Brazil, Argentina are safe places, it is very difficult to dethrone them because each time those countries bring out players with a great class and category, it is as if all the stars were concentrated there, of course there are many players from other countries South America who are good but cannot see themselves in a World Cup because their team does not help them, it is very difficult for them, because soccer is a game of 11, not 1.