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U.S., Canada, Mexico Qualifiers Slam UEFA President's World Cup Remarks

6/15/2026

Summary

African Nations Reject

Qualifiers from the United States, Canada and Mexico rejected UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin’s 48-team World Cup comments.
Signatories Cape Verde, Congo, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa and Haiti called the remarks disrespectful and said qualification historic.
The 2026 World Cup, in the United States, Canada and Mexico, features 48 teams, 104 matches and runs through July 19.
Africa fields ten nations, South Africa loss to Mexico and Morocco draw with Brazil illustrating ambition.

Summary

Ceferin Criticizes Expansion

Aleksander Ceferin said in April at Ljubljana conference that expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams would be a bad idea and would hurt tournament.
He called 2026 World Cup matches “completely uninteresting,” reported by Slovenian media Zurnal24 and Dosi.
UEFA has not replied to the criticism.
South Africa’s federation issued a statement while signatory associations gave no comment.
Curaçao lost its opening World Cup game 7-1 to Germany.

Summary

Players Face Visas

Visa complications are hindering players, coaches and fans from crossing U.S. borders for the 2026 World Cup.
Ticket prices and stadium food and drink costs have become major concerns for supporters and attendees.
The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, marks the first expansion since the 1998 increase to 32 teams.
A joint statement from the 13 nations stresses football’s universality and cultural importance for smaller countries.

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African Nations Reject

Qualifiers from the United States, Canada and Mexico rejected UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin’s 48-team World Cup comments.
Signatories Cape Verde, Congo, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa and Haiti called the remarks disrespectful and said qualification historic.
The 2026 World Cup, in the United States, Canada and Mexico, features 48 teams, 104 matches and runs through July 19.
Africa fields ten nations, South Africa loss to Mexico and Morocco draw with Brazil illustrating ambition.

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