On June 15, 13 football federations — including Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of Congo, Curacao, Haiti, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia — issued a joint statement that 'respectfully but firmly rejects' comments made by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin about the 2026 World Cup.
Speaking at a conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on June 9, Ceferin was quoted by Zurnal 24 and Dosi as saying: 'We have a large number of matches that are completely uninteresting.' He did acknowledge, however, that 'on the other hand, even small countries can participate and feel the pulse of the World Cup — that is a big thing.'
The 2026 World Cup is the first to expand from 32 to 48 teams. Among the nations making their debut are Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan; the Democratic Republic of Congo and Haiti return to the global stage for the first time since 1974. Curacao lost 7-1 to Germany in their opening match on June 14.
The federation statement emphasised: 'For our countries, there is no such thing as an unimportant World Cup match. Football does not belong to a select group of nations. Its strength comes from its universality.'
The federations argued that World Cup participation is not only a sporting achievement but also 'a moment that inspires an entire generation, drives the development of football, and creates lifelong memories.' For nations like Congo and Haiti, returning to the prestigious tournament after a long absence 'holds special significance for millions of fans who have waited years, even decades, for this moment.'
The statement added that behind every national team stands a community and millions of people who see football as 'a source of pride, hope and unity.' Dismissing such matches as less important was described as 'a profound disappointment that fails to recognise the efforts, sacrifices and aspirations of players, coaches, clubs, football leaders and fans around the world.'
The statement concluded: 'We believe that every nation that qualifies deserves respect. Every team earns its place based on merit. Every fan has the right to dream. Every match matters to millions around the world. Therefore, we reject the UEFA president’s comments and reaffirm our belief that the growth of football must continue to create opportunities, inspire new generations and strengthen the sport’s true global nature.'
