Thirteen nations issued a joint statement Sunday rebuking UEFA president Alexander Ceferin's recent criticism of World Cup expansion. Ceferin had suggested that the expanded tournament format makes some matches less important. The statement was signed by Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Uzbekistan, DR Congo, Haiti, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, and Ivory Coast.
'We firmly reject these comments,' the nations said. 'For our countries, there are no unimportant World Cup matches. For Cabo Verde, Curaçao and Uzbekistan, qualification represents a historic achievement. For Congo and Haiti, returning to the World Cup after years of absence has special meaning for millions of supporters.'
The statement emphasized that each qualifying team earned its place through competitive qualification and deserves respect. 'The power of football lies in its universality. The World Cup unites different cultures, histories and football paths. For many countries, participation is not just a sporting achievement but a moment that inspires entire generations.'