Ghana lost 2-1 to Croatia on Saturday and still moved on to the round of 32. Their coach used the post-match news conference to say the format that saved them is a problem.
Carlos Queiroz, the 73-year-old Portuguese in charge of the Black Stars, was asked whether the number of African berths in the enlarged 48-team World Cup was justified. His answer was blunt. “I do believe that what really has huge value, huge and significant value, is that which is rare,” he said. “I’ve never seen in my life common things, ordinary things that come with huge value.”
He went on: “With so many teams qualifying for the World Cup, I am afraid that it can turn this competition into a vulgar, ordinary competition.”
Third place was enough
Ghana finished third in Group L. Under the expanded system, the eight best third-placed sides go through, and the Black Stars were one of them. Colombia awaits in the round of 32.
Queiroz, who is at his fifth World Cup as a coach, also pointed at the money. “Today, money talks,” he said. “In the game, money talks. This is called not football but Moneyball. When money starts to talk, the decisions inside the pitch start to change. Let’s see in the future what will happen.”
He raised player welfare as well, saying extra matches put more physical load on footballers, and said organizers should remember that players had already come off long seasons. Qualifying, he added, is losing its meaning. “Even the qualification matches in Europe and Africa, they start to lose significance, meaning, because everybody is qualified.”
Africa’s numbers
The tournament has been kind to Africa. Nine of the continent’s 10 teams reached the round of 32, and only Tunisia went home early. Seven countries made the knockout stage for the first time: South Africa, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Cape Verde, DR Congo and co-host Canada.
Cape Verde, an archipelago of just over 500,000 people, is the smallest nation ever to reach the knockouts. It drew with Spain and Uruguay along the way. FIFA, which critics accuse of widening the field to raise revenue, has pointed to such runs in its defense.
“When you see nine out of 10 teams going through for the next round in the biggest tournament, that shows a lot,” Algerian star Riyad Mahrez said. DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre said federations in Africa are better organized and the players are improving.
Sources
- Ghana Coach Carlos Queiroz Criticises Expanded FIFA World Cup Despite Qualification – EduTimes Africa
- Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz says value of 48-team World Cup debatable
