The 2026 World Cup should be played with 48 teams, in a format that remains to be defined. Former Cameroonian international Samuel Eto’o told Jeune Afrique on the subject.
On 9 and 10 January 2017 in Zürich, on the occasion of the FIFA Council meeting, Gianni Infantino, the president of the organization, will present his plan to extend the final phase of the World Cup to 48 teams against 32, and this from the World Cup 2026. The idea divides the specialists.
Samuel Eto’o is in favor of this development, as he explained to us from Dubai, where he received a trophy at the Globe Soccer Awards, rewarding his entire career.
“The World Cup with 48 teams is a chance for Africa. When I hear the German coach Joachim Löw criticize the idea by explaining that the true high level is 32 teams, I am surprised. It is as if there were only Europe, which already has nearly half the qualifiers. Joachim Löw forgets that to finish the world champion in Brazil, Germany had its toughest match against an African team, in the round of 16
“Algeria, beaten only in overtime (2-1), “explains The former striker of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon (118 selections, 56 goals). An Under-represented Africa Samuel Eto’o believes that the current quota for Africa is not enough.
“Today, Africa has only five representatives, less than 10% of the countries on the continent. With sixteen additional teams, the African continent could perhaps rise to seven or eight and that would be deserved.”
“Germany, Italy or Argentina still qualify for the World Cups because it is less selective for them than for the African teams. This is also unfair to some players. Look at George Weah (Liberia), who has never competed once in the World … “Argues the former Lions captain.
“And today’s stars like Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Senegal’s Sadio Mané, how many chances will they have to compete in the World Cup if the number of teams does not change? ”
A move to 48 would boost the development of African football.
This possible transition to 48 competitors, in a format that remains to be defined would present other advantages in the eyes of Samuel Eto’o.
“It would also be a way to boost the development of football in more places and strengthen the structures we so badly need to solidify our football. Participating in a World Cup is a cement for all the football of a country but also for a whole nation”.
“I have seen it with Cameroon all these years. This is a special moment and more countries should be able to enjoy it in the future, said the top scorer in the history of the African Cup of Nations (CAN), with 18 goals.”
“After you’re up to 16 teams, 32 or 48, if you want to prove you’re the best, you have to win and beat all the others. That’s why the extra round of round-16 is really interesting. It opens the door to all dreams, all follies: everything is possible on a single game. It is the pure spirit of football and we can only love it!
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