Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz has voiced concerns over the expansion of the FIFA World Cup to 48 teams, warning it risks diminishing the tournament’s prestige despite African sides’ record progress at the current edition.
The Portuguese tactician spoke after Ghana’s 2-1 defeat to Croatia, which still allowed the Black Stars to advance to the round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams.
“I do believe that what really has huge value, huge and significant value, is [that which] is rare,” Queiroz said. “I’ve never seen in my life common things, ordinary things that come with huge value.”
He argued that the larger number of teams could turn the competition into a “vulgar, ordinary” event, adding that financial considerations appeared to drive the decision.1310fe
“Today, money talks. In the game, money talks. This is called not football but Moneyball,” he stated.
The comments come as nine of 10 African teams have reached the knockout stage in the expanded format, with several smaller nations like Cape Verde making their debut in the last 32.
Queiroz also expressed worries about player welfare due to the increased number of matches and suggested that even the qualification process had lost some of its meaning.
Ghana will face Colombia in the round of 32 on July 4.
