Carlos Queiroz says expanded World Cup loses a lot of value despite Ghana reaching last 32 | OneFootball

Carlos Queiroz said he thinks the expanded World Cup format strips away much of the tournament’s value, even as Ghana reached the last 32.

Ghana lost 2-1 to Croatia in Philadelphia on Saturday but still advanced to the knockout phase. According to L'Équipe, FIFA has enlarged this 23rd edition to 48 teams to open the door to more nations, with Africa potentially having eight or nine sides in the last 32 depending on Algeria’s result against Austria.

The 73-year-old said he thinks the finals lose a lot of value and meaning with so many teams, adding that appearing at a World Cup should be a rare achievement.

He argued that even qualifiers in Europe and Africa are diluted because there are too many matches, and said money now drives decisions, describing the sport as moneyball.

Queiroz is coaching at his sixth World Cup as a national team boss, after 2002, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. FIFA is targeting revenues of 11 billion dollars for this tournament.

Source: L'Équipe