Carlos Queiroz has criticized FIFA’s decision to expand the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, arguing that the new format has reduced the prestige and exclusivity of football’s biggest tournament.
Speaking after Ghana’s 2-1 defeat to Croatia, the veteran coach said the value of the World Cup comes from how difficult it is to qualify. According to him, increasing the number of participating nations makes qualification less special and could diminish the tournament’s global appeal. He described the expanded competition as becoming “vulgar and ordinary,” insisting that rarity is what gives the World Cup its unique status.
Queiroz questioned whether qualification still carries the same significance when a much larger number of countries can reach the finals. He also suggested that the focus has shifted away from the quality of competition and toward commercial interests, saying football risks becoming driven more by financial considerations than sporting excellence.
Ironically, Ghana benefited from the new format by advancing to the Round of 32 as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams despite finishing third in their group. Even so, Queiroz maintained that his criticism was based on protecting the long-term value of the World Cup rather than Ghana’s own progress.
FIFA has defended the expansion, arguing that the 48-team tournament gives more countries the opportunity to compete on football’s biggest stage while promoting the growth of the sport across the world.
Nigerian Pidgin Summary
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz don blast FIFA over the decision to increase World Cup teams from 32 to 48. According to am, when too many countries fit qualify, the competition no go remain special again. E talk say World Cup suppose be something wey hard to reach, not tournament wey almost everybody fit enter. Even though Ghana qualify because of the new format, Queiroz still insist say the expansion fit reduce the value and prestige of the competition.
