They need to get rid of the finishing top or second tactical nonsense too. After a group has finished its games just do a draw for who goes through as winner and who goes through as runner up. That way no-one can pick out the "easier" side of the draw in advance.
(Looking at the way it'll work with 16 groups of 3 in 2026 I guess this last group game tactical stuff is dead anyway. I can't see a way the 3rd group game could ever be a dead rubber.)
They need to get rid of the finishing top or second tactical nonsense too. After a group has finished its games just do a draw for who goes through as winner and who goes through as runner up. That way no-one can pick out the "easier" side of the draw in advance.
(Looking at the way it'll work with 16 groups of 3 in 2026 I guess this last group game tactical stuff is dead anyway. I can't see a way the 3rd group game could ever be a dead rubber.)