Federations defend expanded World Cup against UEFA criticism

Football federations from Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean have jointly pushed back against criticism from UEFA President Aleksandar Ceferin concerning the expanded 48-nation format of the 2026 World Cup. Ceferin had suggested the larger tournament would feature "uninteresting games."

In a joint statement, federations from Senegal, Cape Verde, Curaçao, Uzbekistan, Haiti, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, supported by Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, and Ivory Coast, asserted that "For our countries, no World Cup match is meaningless." This response directly counters the notion that matches involving less prominent footballing nations lack value or interest.

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For our countries, no World Cup match is meaningless.

The statement underscored a broader principle: "Football does not belong to a select group of nations." This sentiment highlights a perceived imbalance in global football governance and representation, suggesting that the expansion of the World Cup is a necessary step towards greater inclusivity and a more equitable distribution of opportunities on the world stage.

The fans of nations like Curaçao, for example, are reportedly thrilled simply to have their team participate in the World Cup, regardless of the perceived quality of opposition. This perspective emphasizes the immense significance of World Cup participation for developing football nations, serving as a major source of national pride and inspiration, and providing invaluable experience for players and teams.

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Football does not belong to a select group of nations.