Top News

Ghana’s head coach Carlos Queiroz has voiced his concerns about the ongoing expansion of the traditional FIFA World Cup format, one of the most debated topics this summer.

Following the Black Stars’ narrow 2-1 loss to Croatia, the African side still succeeded in advancing from the group stage, setting up a Round of 32 encounter with Colombia on 3 July in Kansas City.

Despite the defeat in Philadelphia, Queiroz — a seasoned figure in world football who has managed 11 national teams and led six of them to World Cup qualification — reaffirmed his preference for a more exclusive tournament structure.

“I believe that value comes when things are rare,” Queiroz stated. “The number of teams that can qualify for this competition could make it feel common and less special. When so many teams can qualify, does it still hold the same value? That is open to debate, but that’s just my perspective.”

He further explained, “Who in Europe failed to qualify this time? If nearly everyone qualifies, the qualification process loses its importance. It should remain serious, challenging, and highly competitive.”

“The World Cup must represent something significant. It should be rare and meaningful. But as we all know, in today’s football, money tends to dictate decisions,” Queiroz added.

Despite his reservations, the expanded format has allowed several nations to make history this summer. Teams such as DR Congo, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, and South Africa have all reached the knockout stages for the first time — a milestone that would have been unlikely under the previous qualification system.