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Queiroz after Croatia loss: 'World Cup loses value' with new format
๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Sports

Queiroz after Croatia loss: 'World Cup loses value' with new format

From Veฤernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Ghana's coach Carlos Queiroz criticized the expanded 48-team World Cup format after his team's loss to Croatia, stating it diminishes the tournament's value.
  • Queiroz argued that the rarity of qualification contributes to the World Cup's prestige, and a larger field reduces its exclusivity.
  • He also noted that the new system significantly alters the importance of qualification cycles, particularly in South America.

Ghana's national football team coach, Carlos Queiroz, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the expanded 48-team format of the FIFA World Cup following his team's 2-1 defeat to Croatia. Despite Ghana securing a spot in the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams, thanks to a win against Panama and a draw with England, Queiroz focused his post-match comments on the tournament's perceived decline in value.

Queiroz, a veteran Portuguese coach, argued that the prestige of the World Cup is intrinsically linked to its exclusivity. "The value of something comes from its rarity," he stated. "If so many teams can qualify for the World Cup, then it loses some of its specialness. When qualification becomes accessible to a large number of teams, the question arises as to how much that success is still worth."

The value of something comes from its rarity. If so many teams can qualify for the World Cup, then it loses some of its specialness. When qualification becomes accessible to a large number of teams, the question arises as to how much that success is still worth.

โ€” Carlos QueirozGhana's coach Carlos Queiroz explaining his view on how the expanded World Cup format diminishes the tournament's prestige.

This year's tournament marks the first time 48 teams are participating, a significant increase from the 32-team format that had been in place for nearly three decades. FIFA decided to expand the competition in 2017, citing a desire to allow more nations to compete on the biggest stage, though critics often point to financial interests as a primary driver.

The Portuguese coach believes the new system will fundamentally alter the significance of qualification campaigns, especially in South America. He pointed out that with up to six of the ten South American teams directly qualifying and a seventh earning a playoff spot, the challenge of reaching the World Cup is considerably lessened. "Real success today in South America will be โ€“ not qualifying for the World Cup," Queiroz remarked ironically, highlighting the diminished challenge.

Real success today in South America will be โ€“ not qualifying for the World Cup.

โ€” Carlos QueirozQueiroz's ironic comment on the reduced challenge of World Cup qualification in South America due to the expanded tournament.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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