ACCRA, June 28 — Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz has delivered a sharp critique of the World Cup’s expansion to 48 teams, warning it risks turning the tournament into a “vulgar, ordinary competition.” His comments came even as his own side benefited from the new format. Queiroz spoke after Ghana’s 2-1 defeat to Croatia on Saturday. The result meant the Black Stars advanced to the knockout stage as one of the group stage’s eight best third-placed teams — a pathway that did not exist before the expansion.
“I do believe that what really has huge value, huge and significant value, is [that which] is rare,” the Portuguese coach told a news conference. “I’ve never seen in my life common things, ordinary things that come with huge value.” The former Portugal and Real Madrid boss was blunt about the motive behind the change.
“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.” The irony is hard to miss.
Ghana would have been eliminated for finishing third in their group in previous years. Instead, they are among a record nine out of 10 African teams to progress to the next round at this tournament. Queiroz acknowledged the unprecedented African surge but did not waver on his broader concern.
He also raised player welfare as a growing issue. The extra games, he suggested, add strain on squads already packed with fixtures. Queiroz’s stance puts him at odds with FIFA’s commercial push.
The expansion to 48 teams was sold as a way to grow the game globally, bringing in more nations and more broadcast revenue. But for a coach who has managed at the highest level for decades, the trade-off is clear.
“With so many teams qualifying for the World Cup, I think the value of the competition [comes from it] being rare to be in the World Cup,” he said. “It’s, in my opinion, still debatable. I need to see.” The shift is unmistakable.
The World Cup is now bigger, richer, and more inclusive — but the question Queiroz is asking, as his team marches on, is whether it can still feel special. Watch this space as the knockout rounds unfold.
