THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

FIFA's 48-team expansion has made World Cup 'vulgar and ordinary', says ... FIFA World Cup 2026 Carlos Queiroz, 73, has coached 11 men's international teams and led six nations at World Cups.Reuters / Peter Cziborra Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has criticized the decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams, saying it has devalued the qualification process and turned the tournament into something “vulgar and ordinary.” This is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, with the previous 32-team format being in place since 1998. But the actual decision to expand the tournament was taken in 2017, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino pushing hard for the extra teams. Advertisement Infantino’s justification was that it increased “access” to the tournament so that more nations and fans could enjoy being part of the world’s most popular sporting event. Critics, however, have suggested his real motivation was to boost FIFA’s revenues and cement his position at the top of the game. Queiroz has managed 11 different national teams during a coaching career that spans more than four decades and, when Ghana beat Panama in their opening game in Toronto on June 17, the 73-year-old became…

Ghana boss fears 48-team WC 'vulgar,' 'ordinary' - ESPN Ghanamanager Carlos Queiroz has criticized the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, expressing his fear that the move risks turning it into a "vulgar, ordinary competition." The Portuguese coach spoke at a news conference after Ghana's 2-1 defeat toCroatiaon Saturday, a result which meant the Black Stars qualified for the knockout stage as one of the group stage's eight best third-placed teams. "I do believe that what really has huge value, huge and significant value, is [that which] is rare," Quieroz said. "I've never seen in my life common things, ordinary things that come with huge value. "So, the number of teams that qualify for the World Cup, I am afraid that [it] can turn this competition [into a] vulgar, ordinary competition. ... With so many teams qualifying for the World Cup, I think the value of the competition [comes from it] being rare to be in the World Cup. It's, in my opinion, still debatable. I need to see. It's one opinion that is based on my personal feeling." The formerPortugalandReal Madridmanager -- whose comments came despite the fact that Ghana would have been eliminated for finishing third in th…

FIFA Today: World Cup's Expanded Format Criticized as "Vulgar" Image Source: ESPN FIFA Today: Criticism of the Expanded World Cup Format As the world tunes into the FIFA World Cup matches, the discussion surrounding the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams has reached a boiling point. Ghana’s coach Carlos Queiroz has voiced his concerns, labeling the new format as a potential detriment to the essence of football. He believes that having more teams will dilute the competition’s uniqueness, calling it a shift from “football to moneyball.” Queiroz’s Concerns Over Ordinary Competition Following Ghana’s recent 2-1 loss to Croatia, Queiroz expressed his worries about the impact of the expanded tournament during a press conference. He stated, “I believe that what really has huge value is that which is rare. With so many teams qualifying, I fear that this competition may become vulgar and ordinary.” His remarks highlight a broader sentiment among traditionalists who argue that the value of qualifying for the World Cup has diminished. The expanded format allows for more teams, including those with less competitive history, to participate in the knockout stages. Queiroz worries that the finan…

Carlos Queiroz slams expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup: ‘Vulgar and ordinary’ Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has criticised the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup format, calling it “vulgar and ordinary” and warning that the tournament risks losing the exclusivity that has traditionally made it football’s biggest prize. The former Real Madrid manager questioned whether qualification still carries the same significance when almost a quarter of FIFA’s 211 member associations can reach the finals. “I believe that value comes when things are rare. 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,” Queiroz said after Ghana’s 2-1 defeat to Croatia. The 2026 edition is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, expanding from the 32-team format that had been in place since France 1998. The enlarged competition has increased the number of matches from 64 to 104 and guarantees more places for every confederation, with FIFA arguing that the move allows greater global representation and creates more opportunities for emerging foo…

Expanded World Cup called 'vulgar and ordinary' by Ghana coach. Is that fair? Ghana's coach Carlos Queiroz has lashed out at FIFA's expanded 48-team World Cup, despite his team progressing. Is his criticism justified as the tournament moves into the knockout stage?

'Vulgar and ordinary' - World Cup manager blasts 48-team expansion Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Comment now GHANA boss Carlos Queiroz has launched a stunning attack on FIFA’s expanded World Cup, claiming the tournament has become “vulgar and ordinary”. The veteran coach blasted the decision to increase the competition from 32 to 48 teams, insisting it has stripped the World Cup of the prestige that once made it football ‘s biggest prize. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! 3 Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has questioned the expansion of the World Cup, even though his team has just benefited from it Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 3 There have been questions on why Gianni Infantino has expanded the World Cup Credit: Reuters Advertisement This year’s tournament is the first to feature 48 nations after FIFA approved the expansion in 2017 under president Gianni Infantino . Infantino argued the move would give more countries the chance to experience football’s biggest stage. But critics have long claimed the real driving force was the huge financial windfall created by more matches, more teams and more television revenue. Now Qu…

'Money Talks'—World Cup Manager Slams FIFA for 'Vulgar' Competition Change Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz accused FIFA of taking “rarity” and “value” out of the World Cup with this year’s expanded 48-team format, questioning the motives behind the change. Africa has been the biggest beneficiary to the World Cup inflating from 32 entrants, gaining four additional automatic qualifying spots and access to an inter-confederation playoff—won by DR Congo to bring the number of qualifiers to 10. This time around, African qualifying, previously ultra-competitive, was much more straightforward for most of the continent’s heavyweights. Ghana has also benefited from 32 teams progressing from the group stage to knockout rounds. The Black Stars place third in Group L, behind England and Croatia, but ranked among the eight best third-place finishers to set up a round of 32 tie with Colombia. Four years ago, Ghana would have been going home now, but Queiroz suggested after his team’s progression that the World Cup has become “something vulgar and ordinary.” He told reporters: “I believe that value comes when things are rare. When so many teams can qualify, is the value still rare? That would seem …