Thirteen national teams competing in the FIFA World Cup have issued a joint statement rebuking UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin for his recent comments dismissing matches in the expanded 48-team tournament as “uninteresting.” The teams, representing various confederations, expressed their strong disapproval of the remarks, deeming them disrespectful to participating nations and the global football community. They argue Ceferin’s statements undermine the spirit of inclusivity and growth that the expanded World Cup aims to achieve. The criticism highlights a growing tension between UEFA, representing European football, and other confederations regarding the tournament’s evolution. The teams emphasized that all matches and teams deserve respect, regardless of perceived competitive levels. This unified response signals a coordinated effort to defend the integrity and value of all World Cup participants. The statement does not specify potential further action but underscores widespread offense taken by the comments.