Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz said on Saturday (June 28th) that the World Cup "loses a lot of its value" with the participation of 48 teams, criticising the tournament as envisioned by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
"I think with so many teams, (the World Cup) loses a lot of its value and meaning," he said after his side's 2-1 loss to Croatia in Philadelphia, adding: "It should be rare to participate in the World Cup."
The Portuguese coach, who is playing his sixth tournament as a coach (after 2002, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022), said that "even the qualifying matches in Europe and Africa lose their meaning and value because there are so many."
"Today it's money that speaks, and it's no longer called football, it's football. I prefer to see the World Cup as a rare event that has a lot of meaning, and I fight for it," said the International Federation of Football Associations, which counts on more than $11 billion in revenue from the tournament.
The 2026 edition of the World Cup is exceptional in terms of volume, with the number of teams increasing from 32 to 48, and 104 matches spread across three co-host countries (the United States, Canada and Mexico). FIFA has also included an additional role, the Round of 32.
Fuller: Germany ready to overcome the first hurdle against Paraguay
German sporting director Rudi Fuller expressed confidence in the team's ability to overcome their defeat to Ecuador and win their first World Cup knockout match against Paraguay on Monday.
However, Fuller told reporters that forwards Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Florian Wirtz had to step up alongside other players.
"Now the World Cup has really started, and there is a firm belief that we can do our best, that we will reach our full potential, put on a great game, and definitely qualify for the next round."
"It's definitely going to be a very different situation on Monday, it's going to be an elimination game where everything is at stake, either qualifying for the next round or going back home and the players are aware of that," Fuller said.
Fuller explained that the defeat to Ecuador 2-1 does not weaken his confidence in the team, especially with the top of the group secured, but confirmed that his team is thinking about the next match on Monday.
If Germany beat Paraguay in the round of 32, they could face France and Brazil in the round of 16 and Spain in the semi-finals, if they continue their journey.
Messi is the top scorer at the 2026 World Cup
Lionel Messi became the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches, extending his record for goals by scoring his 19th goal in Argentina's final group stage match against Jordan.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni revealed that Messi "preferred his teammates to get playing minutes" after coming on as a substitute in Saturday's 3-1 win over Jordan in the third round of the group stage.
After coming off the bench in the 60th minute, Messi scored Argentina's third goal from a free kick (80), taking his tally to a record 19 goals in all his World Cup appearances.
Lionel Messi scored from a direct free-kick after being blocked outside the box in the 80th minute. Messi, 39, was one of only three players to score in six consecutive World Cup matches, along with France striker Joost Fontaine and Brazil star Gairzenho.
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