Čeferin faces criticism over expanded World Cup comment
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 15, 2026, 2:18 AM
Last updated Jun 15, 2026
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin was criticized by soccer governing bodies from Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean for remarks suggesting the expanded 48-team World Cup leads to uninteresting matches. A joint statement from several federations expressed disappointment, emphasizing the significance of World Cup participation for many countries. The statement highlighted the historical achievements of teams like Cape Verde, Curaçao, and others in qualifying for their first World Cups. Sources indicate that Čeferin's remarks were made at a conference in Ljubljana, where he acknowledged both the number of uninteresting matches and the opportunities for smaller nations to compete.
- •Čeferin's comments were allegedly made at a conference on June 5.
- •Federations including Cape Verde and Curaçao responded in solidarity.
- •Curaçao lost to Germany 7-1 in its World Cup opener.
- •The statement emphasizes the historical importance of World Cup qualification.
- 3:05 AMESPN Soccer — WC teams blast UEFA chief over expansion criticism...
- 7:43 PMYahoo Sports — UEFA head Čeferin criticized for allegedly saying expanded World Cup creates uninteresting matches
"UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin was criticized Sunday by soccer governing bodies in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean for allegedly saying the expanded 48-team World Cup creates uninteresting matches. The associations of Cape Verde, Congo, Curaçao, Haiti, Jordan and Uzbekistan issued a joint statement they said was in solidarity with the federations of Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia.
"UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin was criticized Sunday by soccer associations in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean for allegedly saying the expanded 48-team World Cup icreates uninteresting matches.
Sources
External links- ESPN SoccerJun 15, 2026, 3:05 AMWC teams blast UEFA chief over expansion criticism...
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin was criticized Sunday by soccer associations in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean for allegedly saying the expanded 48-team World Cup icreates uninteresting matches.
- Yahoo SportsJun 14, 2026, 7:43 PMUEFA head Čeferin criticized for allegedly saying expanded World Cup creates uninteresting matches
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin was criticized Sunday by soccer governing bodies in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean for allegedly saying the expanded 48-team World Cup creates uninteresting matches. The associations of Cape Verde, Congo, Curaçao, Haiti, Jordan and Uzbekistan issued a joint statement they said was in solidarity with the federations of Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia.
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