Africans were marginalized” — Mohammed Polo backs World Cup expansion

Ghana football legend Mohammed Ahmed Polo has welcomed FIFA’s decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams, insisting the move corrects years of marginalisation faced by African nations.

The former Hearts of Oak icon and 1978 AFCON winner believes the new format offers long-overdue opportunities for countries across the continent to compete on the global stage.

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.

Mohammed Polo-Africans — President of FIFA Gianni Infantino (2nd-L), CAF President Patrice Motsepe (2nd-R) and FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa (L) attend the inauguration ceremony of the FIFA offices in Rabat, at the Mohammed VI Complex in Sale on July 26, 2025.(Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP) (Photo by ABDEL MAJID BZIOUAT/AFP via Getty Images)

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

Polo believes the previous format limited Africa’s representation, despite the continent’s growing influence and talent pool in world football.

“Africans were marginalised,” he suggested, pointing to the struggles teams faced in qualifying despite strong performances.

Reflecting on his own era, the former winger argued that African teams of the past were more than capable of competing with the best but were restricted by limited slots.

Mohammed Polo- world Cup — Mohammed Polo during the Honoring the Legends Event

“If you look at the teams that we played with, think about those days; these teams cannot stand us,” he added, expressing confidence in the quality of African football across generations.

He 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.