Mohammed Polo backs World Cup expansion as Africaâ??s long-awaited breakthrough

Ghanaian football great Mohammed Ahmed Polo has endorsed FIFA’s decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams, describing the move as a necessary correction to years of limited opportunities for African nations on football’s biggest stage.

The former Hearts of Oak star believes the new format will significantly enhance the continent’s representation and competitiveness.

The proposal, championed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino during his 2016 campaign, was approved in 2017 and will take effect from the 2026 tournament.

It increases the number of participating teams from 32 to 48, creating additional six slots for Africa (now ten).

For Polo, the expansion marks a turning point in global football governance, offering African teams a fairer pathway to showcase their quality.

“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. “Africans were marginalised.

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

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