Ghana Coach Criticizes Expanded 48-Team World Cup Format
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz criticized the expanded 48-team format of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, calling it vulgar and ordinary and saying it reduces the tournament’s value. Ghana advanced to the round of 32 after finishing third in Group L, while critics suggested FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s push for expansion was motivated by financial and personal interests.
Carlos Queiroz, coach of Ghana, criticized the expansion of the FIFA World Cup to 48 teams, saying it has turned the tournament into something vulgar and ordinary and reduced its value by removing its rarity. Queiroz also called the format a shift from football to moneyball. He has coached 11 men's international teams and led six nations at World Cups.
Ghana qualified for the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the eight best third-placed teams after finishing third in Group L. Ghana lost 2-1 to Croatia in the group stage but won their opening match against Panama on June 17 in Toronto. Ghana is scheduled to play Colombia in the round of 32.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first to feature 48 teams, according to the New York Times. The previous format, with 32 teams, had been in place since 1998. FIFA President Gianni Infantino pushed for the expansion, saying it increased access for more nations and fans. Critics suggested Infantino’s motivation was financial and personal. According to Sports Illustrated, Africa gained four additional automatic qualifying spots and access to an inter-confederation playoff due to the expansion, and ten African teams qualified for the tournament.
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