CORNERFLICK
Carlos Queiroz has criticised FIFA’s decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams, saying the tournament has lost some of its meaning despite Ghana reaching the knockout rounds under the new format.
Ghana finished the group stage with a win over Panama, a draw with England and a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in Philadelphia, which was still enough to book a last-16 meeting with Colombia, the Group K winners.
Queiroz argued that the old 32-team format, in place since 1998, gave the tournament more value by making qualification harder. FIFA approved the expansion in 2017 under president Gianni Infantino, saying it would open the event to more countries and fans, but Queiroz said easier access risks making it less special.
He also questioned the impact on qualifying, pointing to South America’s route and saying European qualifying would lose significance if too many teams reached the finals. He told reporters the real World Cup starts in the next round, with the group stage serving as a warm-up.