World Cup expansion corrects years of African marginalisation â?? Mohammed Polo

Ghana football legend Mohammed Ahmed Polo has welcomed FIFA's decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams, insisting the move addresses decades of marginalisation faced by African nations on the global stage.

The former Hearts of Oak icon and 1978 Africa Cup of Nations winner believes the new format offers long-overdue opportunities for countries across the continent to compete more fairly.

Speaking to Citi Sports, Polo described the expansion as a major step forward for African football.

“I think it’s good because if you look at the opportunities that have been given to Africa, I think it’s a blessing,” he said.

The decision to expand the tournament was first proposed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during his 2016 election campaign and officially approved in January 2017 for implementation starting with the 2026 edition.

Polo argued that the previous 32-team format limited Africa’s representation despite the continent’s growing talent pool and strong performances at the World Cup.

“Africans were marginalised,” he suggested, pointing to the struggles African teams faced in qualifying despite proving their capability against the world’s best.

Reflecting on his own playing era, the former winger expressed confidence that past African teams could have competed with anyone if given more slots.

“If you look at the teams that we played with, think about those days; these teams cannot stand us,” he added.

Polo also highlighted the benefits the expansion brings to younger players, who now have increased chances to showcase their talent on football’s biggest stage.

For Polo, the expanded tournament is not just about numbers but about fairness and recognition, offering African nations a stronger voice and presence in global football.

As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues, his comments reflect a broader sentiment across the continent that the new format could mark the beginning of a more inclusive and competitive era for African teams.

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