World Cup nations slam UEFA chief for ‘disappointing’ 48-team criticism | World Cup 2026 News
UEFA President Criticized for Remarks on World Cup Matches
June 14, 2026
In a statement released on Sunday, football associations from several nations condemned UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin for his recent comments regarding the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup. Ceferin suggested that the tournament has resulted in numerous “uninteresting” matches, provoking backlash from governing bodies in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.
The football associations of Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Curacao, Haiti, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia declared in their joint statement that they “respectfully but firmly reject” Ceferin’s assertions.
Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan are among the nations making their World Cup debut this year, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Haiti have qualified for the tournament for the first time since 1974. In their opening match, Curacao faced Germany, suffering a 7-1 defeat.
The ongoing tournament marks a milestone in World Cup history, featuring 48 teams, an increase from the previous 32.
“In our countries, there is no such thing as an unimportant World Cup match,” the statement emphasized. “Football does not belong to a select group of nations. Its strength comes from its universality.”
The statement highlighted the significance of participating in the World Cup, noting that for many nations, it represents a major accomplishment that can inspire a generation and advance football development.
Although the statement did not directly quote Ceferin, Slovenian media outlets reported his remarks from a conference in Ljubljana last week. “We have a huge number of matches that are completely uninteresting,” Ceferin reportedly said, while also acknowledging the importance of smaller nations experiencing the World Cup.
The joint statement emphasized that the qualification of debutants like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Haiti is a “historic achievement” that fulfills a long-held dream for many.
“For nations such as Congo and Haiti, returning to football’s biggest stage after a long absence carries a special meaning for millions of supporters who have waited years, and in some cases decades,” it noted.
Further, the statement reiterated the dedication and investment required to qualify for the World Cup. “Behind every national team stand entire communities and millions of people who see football as a source of pride, hope, and unity.”
The associations expressed their discontent with Ceferin’s comments, stating that they diminish the efforts, sacrifices, and aspirations of players, coaches, clubs, and supporters worldwide.
“Every nation that qualifies deserves respect,” the statement concluded. “Every team has earned its place on merit. Every supporter has the right to dream. Every match carries meaning for millions of people around the world.”
The associations reaffirmed their belief in the need for the growth of football to continue fostering opportunities, inspiring new generations, and enhancing the global nature of the sport.
