2026 World Cup: Senegal issues a statement against FIFA and UEFA

Africa Today at 12:45

Joshua SOSSOU

News Editor

In recent hours, the football federations of Senegal, Cape Verde, Curaçao, Uzbekistan, Congo, and Haiti have voiced their "deep disappointment". This follows recent comments from UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin regarding the expansion of the 2026 World Cup.

In a joint statement, the federations reject the notion that some matches in the tournament could be considered secondary. "For our countries, there is no such thing as an unimportant FIFA World Cup match. For our nations, qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is a historic achievement and the fulfillment of a dream shared by generations," they wrote. They argue that "suggesting that some of our matches are in any way less important is deeply disappointing and amounts to ignoring the efforts, sacrifices, and aspirations of players, coaches, clubs, football officials, and fans around the world."

They also emphasize that "behind every qualification are years of hard work and investment" and that "behind every national team stand entire communities and millions of people who see football as a source of pride, hope, and unity."

The statement also underscores the impact that qualifying can have for emerging football nations: "For many countries, participating in the FIFA World Cup is not just a sporting achievement. It's a moment that inspires a generation, accelerates the development of football, and creates memories that last a lifetime." The signatories conclude by affirming that "every nation that qualifies deserves respect," that "every team has earned its place on merit," and that "every match matters."

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