WILLEMSTAD (DA) — The Curaçao Football Federation (FFK) joined football associations from Cape Verde, Uzbekistan, Congo and Haiti in rejecting recent comments by UEFA President Aleksander ?eferin about the expansion of the FIFA World Cup and his characterization of many matches as “uninteresting.”
In a joint statement dated June 14, the federations expressed “profound disappointment” and said they “respectfully but firmly reject” the comments.
“For our countries, there is no such thing as an unimportant World Cup match,” the federations said.
The statement pointed to Cape Verde, Curaçao and Uzbekistan as countries for which World Cup qualification represents a historic achievement and the realization of a dream shared across generations. It also cited Congo and Haiti, saying a return to football’s biggest stage after a long absence carries special meaning for millions of supporters.
The federations said suggesting those matches are less important fails to recognize the efforts and sacrifices of players, coaches, clubs, football leaders and supporters around the world.
“Football does not belong to a select group of nations,” the statement said. “Its strength comes from its universality.”
The federations said every country that qualifies deserves respect, every team has earned its place on merit and every match carries meaning for supporters.
The statement was signed by the Cape Verde Football Federation, Curaçao Football Federation, Uzbekistan Football Association, Congo Football Federation and Haiti Football Federation.
The Algerian Football Federation, Tunisian Football Federation, Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Egyptian Football Association, Ghana Football Association, Senegalese Football Federation, Ivorian Football Federation and South African Football Association also expressed solidarity with the statement.
“Every team qualified on merit,” the federations said. “Every match matters.”