Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz blasted FIFA’s decision to expand the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams after his side’s 2-1 loss to Croatia. The defeat still saw the Black Stars slip into the knockout round as one of the eight best third‑placed sides. Queiroz warned the larger field could turn the tournament into a vulgar, ordinary competition, and sparked debate among fans worldwide.

Queiroz argued the value of the World Cup lies in its rarity, saying “common things never carry huge value.” He accused the expansion of being driven by money, labeling it “not football but moneyball.” The coach also complained that qualifying matches lose meaning when most nations are assured of a place, diluting European and African contests, and threatens the sport’s integrity.

The expanded format has already produced seven debutants in the round of 32, including Cape Verde, which finished ahead of Saudi Arabia and Uruguay despite a population smaller than a U.S. state. Ghana will meet Colombia on July 4, with a potential clash against Switzerland or Algeria in the last‑16. Queiroz’s comments add a vocal dissent to FIFA’s commercial push, making the tournament’s prestige uncertain.