On June 14, 2026, thirteen football federations from Africa and Asia, including those of Senegal and Morocco, issued a joint statement criticizing UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. The federations accused Ceferin of disrespecting their nations after he reportedly claimed that expanding the 2026 FIFA World Cup to 48 teams would lower the tournament's quality.
The statement, released on the eve of the World Cup, said Ceferin's remarks showed a 'lack of recognition' for the footballing achievements of their countries. The federations called on FIFA to address what they termed 'discriminatory rhetoric' from European football leaders.
Ceferin had made the comments during a press conference earlier in June, arguing that the expanded format would dilute competition. However, FIFA has defended the 48-team model as a way to increase global participation and develop football in underrepresented regions.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is the first to feature 48 teams. Senegal and Morocco are among the qualified nations, with Morocco having reached the semifinals in 2022.
