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World Cup nations slam UEFA chief for ‘disappointing’ 48-team criticism

World Cup nations slam UEFA chief for ‘disappointing’ 48-team criticism

Summary

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said that many matches in the new 48-team FIFA World Cup are “uninteresting.” Football associations from several countries in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean strongly disagreed, saying every match is important and each nation’s participation is a major achievement.

Key Facts

  • The FIFA World Cup expanded from 32 to 48 teams starting in 2026.
  • UEFA President Ceferin commented that many matches in the larger tournament are boring.
  • Football groups from Cape Verde, DR Congo, Curacao, Haiti, Jordan, Uzbekistan, and others issued a statement rejecting Ceferin’s view.
  • Some of these countries qualified for the World Cup for the first time or returned after decades.
  • They said every match is meaningful and represents pride, hope, and unity for millions of fans.
  • The statement highlighted the hard work and sacrifices behind each team’s qualification.
  • They believe Ceferin’s comments ignore the value and spirit of football’s global reach.
  • The groups want football to keep growing and include more nations to inspire new players and fans.
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