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Post being replied to

the T20 Cricket World Cup used a play-in tournament by plaid_pants

This year that worked really well. The big teams got byes for the first group stage. The minnows played an entire group stage and the top two from each group were added to what would be the equivalent of the pot 4 teams for the main tournament.

It sounds a bit like second class citizens, but it actually worked out really well. The play-in tournament was in the same location the week before the main event. The games between the minnows were intense and competitive. And the momentum they gained led to some interesting upsets in the main tournament.

I wouldn’t be upset with a minnows play-in tournament for pot 4 teams.