Ghana coach Queiroz: 48-team World Cup 'vulgar and ordinary' as 'money talks'

The 48-team experiment

The expansion from 32 to 48 teams was decided by FIFA in 2017 under president Gianni Infantino to broaden access. This year’s tournament, the first with the new format, features 104 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico and an additional knockout round, the round of 32. FIFA projects revenues of more than $11 billion. Criticisms that the larger field dilutes quality have shadowed the event, and Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz added his voice on Saturday.

Reaction after defeat

Ghana lost 2-1 to Croatia in Philadelphia but still advanced as one of the best third-placed finishers. Queiroz, who is at his sixth World Cup as a manager, used the post-match press conference to attack the format.

“I believe that value comes when things are rare. The number of teams that can qualify for this competition can turn it into something vulgar and ordinary.”

Money over sport

Queiroz argued the expansion was driven by financial motives. He coined 'argentball' to describe what he sees as the commercialization of the tournament.

“Today, it’s money that talks and we no longer call this football but ‘argentball’. I prefer to see the World Cup as a rare event that should have a lot of meaning and to fight to be there.”

Qualification loses meaning

The Portuguese coach said that with so many berths available, qualifying campaigns in Europe and Africa become meaningless. He highlighted South America, where six of 10 teams qualify automatically and a seventh enters a playoff.

“The real success now in South America would be in not qualifying.”

Ghana’s path forward

Ghana began their campaign with a win over Panama in Toronto on June 17, making the 73-year-old Queiroz the oldest manager to win a World Cup match. A draw with England followed, enough to seal a knockout spot despite the Croatia loss. Ghana next face Colombia in Kansas City on Friday.