Moroccan Football Federation Stands United with Other Nations
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has allied itself with twelve other national football associations to express their discontent regarding recent comments reportedly made by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin about the expansion of the FIFA World Cup. In a joint statement, these federations articulated their disappointment over Čeferin's alleged remarks, which suggested that certain matches created by the tournament’s recent expansion could be deemed uninteresting. This assertion has been met with strong opposition, as the federations collectively emphasized that every World Cup match holds significant value for their respective nations.
The statement highlighted that qualifying for the World Cup represents a monumental achievement for each participating country. For many nations, this qualification is the culmination of extensive investment, rigorous preparation, and unwavering dedication from players, coaches, clubs, football officials, and passionate supporters alike. In particular, the federations spotlighted the debut of teams such as Cabo Verde, Curaçao, and Uzbekistan at the tournament, as well as the return of Congo DR and Haiti after lengthy absences, underscoring the special meaning their participation holds for millions of fans.
Furthermore, the federations argued that dismissing any of these teams or their matches undermines the hard work that has gone into their qualification and the significance of the occasion for their nations. They firmly noted that football is not confined to a select few powerful countries, asserting that the true strength of the World Cup lies in its ability to unite teams with diverse histories, cultures, and football traditions. “Every nation that qualifies deserves respect. Every team has qualified on merit. Every match counts,” the statement underscored, reiterating the importance of inclusivity in this global event.
Morocco, alongside Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, South Africa, Cabo Verde, Congo DR, Curaçao, Haiti, and Uzbekistan, signed this declaration, which reflects a unified stance against any perceived devaluation of World Cup matches. The upcoming 2026 tournament marks a historic shift as it will be the first men’s World Cup to feature 48 teams, expanding from the previous 32-team format that prevailed from 1998 to 2022. This new format will consist of twelve groups of four teams, culminating in a total of 104 matches, a significant increase from the 64 matches held in Qatar.
However, uncertainties linger regarding the exact nature of the comments that prompted this collective response. Reports from sources close to UEFA indicated that Čeferin had not recently referred to World Cup matches as uninteresting, leaving officials puzzled about the origins of the claim. Notably, Čeferin has previously expressed opposition to any further expansion of the World Cup to 64 teams in 2030, labeling such a proposal a “bad idea,” yet his earlier criticisms did not encompass the specific phrasing challenged by the federations in their statement.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
