"Chaque match compte" : le Sénégal et douze fédérations recadrent le président de l’UEFA à propos du Mondial 2026
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), along with several national federations from Africa, the Caribbean and Asia, expressed its "deep disappointment" following recent comments by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin on the expansion of the FIFA World Cup.
In a joint statement released on Saturday, the federations of Senegal, Cape Verde, Curaçao, Uzbekistan, Congo and Haiti expressed their regret over the statements made by the European leader, who had described many World Cup matches as "uninteresting".
The signatories firmly reject this assessment, believing that "there is no such thing as an insignificant World Cup match." For these nations, qualifying for the World Cup represents "a historic achievement" and the culmination of a dream cherished by several generations.
The text emphasizes that behind each qualification lie "years of work and investment," but also the sacrifices of players, coaches, managers, clubs, and fans. The federations reiterate that football remains a source of pride, hope, and unity for millions of people worldwide.
"To suggest that some of our matches would somehow be less important is deeply disappointing," they write, considering that such remarks minimize the efforts made by emerging nations to gain access to the most prestigious competition.
The signatories also defend the universality of football and the open-mindedness of the World Cup. According to them, the greatness of the tournament lies precisely in its ability to bring together countries with different cultures, histories, and footballing backgrounds.
The statement concludes by noting that, for many countries, participating in a World Cup goes beyond mere sport. Such an achievement inspires younger generations, fosters the development of national football, and leaves lasting memories.
The statement also has the support of the federations of Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and South Africa. Together, they reaffirm an unequivocal message: "Every nation that qualifies deserves respect. Every team qualified on merit. Every match counts."
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