According to The Athletic, Ghana coach Queiroz has criticized FIFA's decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams, arguing that it diminishes the value of qualifying matches.

This is the first FIFA World Cup to feature 48 teams; the 32-team format had been in place since 1998. However, the expansion decision was made in 2017, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino firmly supporting the increase in participating nations.

Infantino's stated rationale was that expansion would increase "access" to the tournament, allowing more nations and fans to experience participation in the world's most popular sport. Critics, however, believe his true motivation is to boost FIFA's revenue and solidify his position as a leading figure in football.

Queiroz has managed 11 different national teams during a career spanning over 40 years. On June 17, when Ghana defeated Panama in their opening match in Toronto, the 73-year-old Queiroz became the oldest head coach to record a victory at a FIFA World Cup.

That victory, combined with a hard-fought draw against England the following week, was enough for Ghana to advance to the knockout round as one of the best third-place teams. However, despite this success, the former Manchester United assistant coach remains opposed to third-place teams advancing to the knockout round.

After Ghana's 1-2 defeat to Croatia in Philadelphia on Saturday, Queiroz told the media: "I think value comes from scarcity."

Queiroz said: "When so many teams can qualify for this tournament, it risks becoming common and ordinary. When so many teams can advance, where is the scarcity that creates value? I find this debatable, and of course, this is just my personal opinion."

Queiroz took over as Ghana coach in April of this year, becoming only the second coach after legendary Bora Milutinović to manage five consecutive FIFA World Cups. He led Portugal at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, followed by Iran in three consecutive World Cups. He also managed South Africa at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Queiroz clearly aligns with the critics. Like other detractors, he is particularly concerned that World Cup expansion will undermine the qualifying rounds.

Regarding the fact that six of South America's ten teams can now directly qualify for the FIFA World Cup, with the seventh-place team having a second chance through intercontinental playoffs, Queiroz said: "Now in South America, real success no longer means earning qualification."

Queiroz said: "Who in Europe fails to qualify? If everyone can qualify, the qualifying rounds lose their meaning. Qualifying should be serious, should be extremely difficult and highly competitive."

Queiroz said: "The FIFA World Cup should be meaningful and have weight; it should be rare. But as you know, in modern football, money talks."

Queiroz said: "We used to talk about football; now we talk about football money."

Queiroz and Ghana will next prepare for their Round of 32 knockout match against Group K winners Colombia in Kansas City on July 3.

Queiroz added: "I just told my players that the real battle for the World Cup title begins in the next round."

Queiroz said: "The group stage was just the warm-up. Advancing to the next round is like getting a credit card, but now you have to start paying your debts. Everything is about the winner; every match is dramatic, no one can hide. That starts in our next match."

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