"Football does not belong to a select group of nations." That line, from a joint statement signed by 14 federations across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, was aimed squarely at UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin — and it landed hard.
Čeferin was quoted by Slovenian outlets Zurnal 24 and Dosi last Monday at a conference in Ljubljana, reportedly saying the 48-team World Cup produces "a huge number of matches that are completely uninteresting." He reportedly acknowledged the expansion lets smaller nations participate — but the framing was enough to ignite a response that crossed three continents.
Who Pushed Back — and Why It Stings
The statement was released by South Africa's federation and signed in solidarity by Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia — plus Cape Verde, Congo, Curaçao, Haiti, Jordan and Uzbekistan. That's not a fringe coalition. Those are football nations with serious followings and, in several cases, genuine competitive pedigree.
Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan are all at their first-ever World Cup. Congo and Haiti are back for the first time since 1974. For their players, coaches, and the millions watching at home, this isn't filler content. It's the culmination of decades of work.
"To suggest that these matches are somehow less important is deeply disappointing and fails to recognize the efforts, sacrifices and aspirations of players, coaches, clubs, football leaders and supporters across the world," the statement read.
Curaçao lost 7-1 to Germany on Sunday in their opening match. By a certain reading, that scoreline might reinforce Čeferin's point. By another, it's a country of 150,000 people competing on the sport's biggest stage for the very first time — a result that will be replayed and remembered on that island long after the tournament is forgotten elsewhere.
The Wider Picture
Čeferin's comments — if accurately reported — reflect a tension that's been simmering since FIFA pushed the expansion through. UEFA has never been quietly enthusiastic about a bloated format that dilutes the tournament's prestige and stretches European club calendars further. The politics are real, even if the delivery here was clumsy.
UEFA did not respond to requests for comment. The federations issuing the statement didn't respond to follow-up questions either. So what was actually said, in full context, remains officially unaddressed — but the reaction from 14 associations suggests the quote landed exactly as written.
