World Cup 2026: Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz questions whether expanded 48-team has improved tournament

Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has questioned whether FIFA's decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams has enhanced the competition, arguing that the increased number of qualification places risks reducing the prestige of reaching football's biggest stage.

Speaking after Ghana's 2-1 defeat to Croatia on Saturday, which still saw the Black Stars qualify for the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams, Queiroz said the long-term impact of the expanded format remains open to debate.

"With so many teams qualifying for the World Cup, I think the value of the competition in terms of being rare to be in the World Cup is, in my opinion, still debatable," Queiroz told reporters.

The 2026 edition is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, with Africa's allocation increasing from five to nine guaranteed places, plus an intercontinental playoff spot. Ghana are among 10 African nations participating in the tournament, with nine through to the knockout phase.

Despite benefiting from the expanded format, Queiroz believes qualification campaigns may lose some of their intensity if too many places are available.

"Even the qualification matches in Europe and Africa, they start to lose significance because everybody is qualified," he said.

The Portuguese coach, who is appearing at his fifth World Cup as a manager, argued that qualification should remain one of the toughest challenges in international football.

"The World Cup should be structured in a way that ensures the qualification process is serious, tough and competitive."

Queiroz also urged FIFA to consider the demands placed on players, many of whom arrive at the tournament after lengthy domestic seasons.

"So it is a lot of small details that demand in the future should be studied very, very carefully, of course."

While the expanded competition has created more opportunities for nations around the world, Queiroz believes organisers must continue evaluating whether the new format preserves the value and competitiveness that have long defined the World Cup.

Ghana's attention now shifts to the knockout phase, where they will face Colombia in Kansas City for a place in the Round of 16.

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