Thirteen nations participating in the World Cup have publicly criticised UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin following his reported comments dismissing many tournament matches as “uninteresting.” The criticism centres on Ceferin’s assessment of the expanded 32-team format, implying a decline in match quality due to the increased number of participants. Representatives from the World Cup teams released a statement expressing their strong disagreement with the UEFA president’s remarks. They argue that all teams qualified for the tournament through merit and deserve respect. The nations involved have not been publicly named, but the collective response indicates widespread offense at Ceferin’s characterization of their performances. This dispute highlights ongoing tensions between UEFA and other football confederations regarding the evolution of international competitions. The statement emphasizes the competitive spirit and dedication of all World Cup participants.