UEFA head criticized for World Cup expansion comments

The statement underscored that football's strength lies in its universality, not in being confined to a select group of nations. It emphasized that for many countries, participating in the FIFA World Cup is more than just a sporting achievement; it is a moment that inspires entire generations, accelerates football development, and creates lasting memories. The federations noted that for nations like Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan, World Cup qualification represents a historic achievement, while for others like Congo and Haiti, their return to the tournament after long absences holds significant meaning for millions of supporters.

Čeferin's alleged comments were reportedly made at a conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and quoted by Slovenian websites Zurnal 24 and Dosi. He was quoted as saying, "We have a huge number of matches that are completely uninteresting," while also acknowledging that the expansion allows smaller countries to participate and experience the tournament's excitement. UEFA and the federations that issued the statement did not immediately respond to requests for comment.