Expanded World Cup called 'vulgar and ordinary' by Ghana coach. Is that fair?
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Ghana's coach Carlos Queiroz criticized the expanded 48-team World Cup format, calling it potentially "vulgar and ordinary."
- Queiroz, the oldest coach at the tournament, believes a larger number of qualifying teams diminishes the rarity and value of the competition.
- Despite his criticism, Ghana advanced to the knockout stage in the new tournament format, which has also produced dramatic and chaotic group stage matches.
Ghana's coach Carlos Queiroz has voiced strong criticism of the expanded 48-team World Cup, labeling the format as potentially "vulgar and ordinary." The veteran coach, who at 73 is the oldest to lead a side at the tournament, expressed concern that allowing more teams to qualify diminishes the competition's prestige.
"When so many teams can qualify, is the value still rare? That would seem debatable to me, but it is only my opinion," Queiroz stated after Ghana's 2-1 loss to Croatia. He suggested that the increased number of participants could dilute the tournament's exclusivity and appeal.
Despite Queiroz's reservations, Ghana secured a spot in the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams. The new format has been a double-edged sword, leading to some predictable group-stage matches with little at stake, while also producing extraordinary scenes of drama and chaos, as seen in the high-scoring draws that kept multiple teams' hopes alive until the final moments.
The number of teams that can qualify for this competition can turn it into something vulgar and ordinary. When so many teams can qualify, is the value still rare? That would seem debatable to me, but it is only my opinion.
Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.