Ghana coach Queiroz: 48-team World Cup 'vulgar and ordinary' as 'money talks'
After Ghana advanced to the last 32 despite a loss, manager Carlos Queiroz attacked FIFA's 48-team format, saying it has devalued the tournament and turned football into 'argentball'.
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.
- FIFA Council votes to expand World Cup from 32 to 48 teams starting in 2026
- Ghana beats Panama 2-1 in Toronto; Queiroz becomes oldest manager to win a World Cup match
- Ghana loses 2-1 to Croatia in Philadelphia but advances as best third-placed; Queiroz criticizes format
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.
