Thirteen World Cup nations – including Curacao, Morocco and Senegal – have issued a joint statement condemning UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin over comments he made during the buildup to this summer’s tournament. There has already been plenty points of contention surrounding the competition, which is being co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Among the issues raised so far are visa problems that have seen players, coaches, staff and fans struggle to get past US border control. Ticket prices, as well as the cost of food and drinks at stadiums, have also become major talking points. Another less-documented issue highlighted by the UEFA chief concerns the tournament’s new format.

More nations, more games and, hopefully, more twists and turns do not seem like a bad thing for neutral fans. However, Ceferin has taken a different view of the expanded 48-team format – a stance that has not gone down well with many nations who earnt their rite of passage to this year’s tournament.

13 Nations Issue Joint Statement Amid UEFA Chief’s ‘Uninteresting’ Jab

Ceferin argued that the new format would lead to ‘uninteresting games’, since the level of opposition has decreased thanks to the opening of new qualification places. In response, Cape Verde, Curacao, Uzbekistan, Congo, Haiti, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa and Ivory Coast have expressed their “profound disappointment” in a joint-statement:

The statement continued: “Behind every qualification stand years of work and investment. Behind every national team stand entire communities and millions of people who see football as a source of pride, hope and unity. Football does not belong to a select group of nations. Its strength comes from its universality. The FIFA World Cup is the world’s greatest football competition precisely because it brings together different cultures, different histories and different football journeys.

“For many countries, participation in the FIFA World Cup is not only a sporting achievement. It is a moment that inspires a generation, accelerates football development and creates memories that last a lifetime. We believe that every nation that qualifies deserves respect. Every team has earned its place on merit. Every supporter has the right to dream. Every match carries meaning for millions of people around the world.

“We therefore reject the UEFA President’s comments and reaffirm our belief that the growth of football must continue to create opportunities, inspire new generations and strengthen the truly global nature of our game. “Every team qualified on merit. Every match matters.”

Ceferin’s Champions League Reformat Has Its Own Drawbacks

The issue with Ceferin’s comments is, not only does he overlook the importance of the World Cup to the newer, less experienced nations, but he has also been somewhat hypocritical. Just two seasons ago, he changed the Champions League format so that more teams could qualify, and there were more games.

Indeed, that has made for some interesting matchups during the initial league phase. However, more fixture scheduling headaches has also seen more injuries, and therefore, slower matches in general – particularly towards the end of the campaign.

Liverpool are starting to ramp up their summer transfer plans following the appointment of Andoni Iraola as the club’s new manager earlier this month.

Liverpool’s desire to strengthen is no surprise for a few reasons, the main one being how underwhelming they were during the 2025-26 season, just one year after the won the Premier League title in Arne Slot’s first campaign in charge.

Another is the fact that they have lost three big members of their dressing room in Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate.

The Reds do have two left-back options in Milos Kerkez and Kostas Tsimikas, although it remains to be seen whether the latter will stay at Anfield or leave the club on loan or on a permanent basis this summer.

The Merseysiders may already have their successor for Konate too, given Jeremy Jacquet will link up with Liverpool this summer after they agreed a deal to sign him during the January transfer window.

One area Liverpool are already looking to strengthen is their frontline, with club chiefs pushing to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leizpig as Salah’s long-term replacement, having offered the player an important salary.

Inside Anfield, according to GIVEMESPORT sources, they are confident that the 19-year-old wants to join them, amid interest from Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain.

Romano: Liverpool Hold Talks to Sign Ayyoub Bouaddi

via Reuters

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have now held talks with the agents of Lille sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi over a switch to Anfield this summer.

While the Reds are focusing on strengthening their attack, it is appearing more and more likely as though there will be changes in midfield too.

There are doubts over the future of Alexis Mac Allister following a disappointing season for the Argentina international, while Ryan Gravenberch didn’t play to the same level as he did in 2024-25.

With Curtis Jones also looking likely to depart Anfield, there is room for at least one signing in the Liverpool engine room.

GIVEMESPORT sources revealed last week that Liverpool have a big appreciation for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, who is valued at £100m by the Europa Conference League holders, according to journalist Alan Nixon.

Bouaadi is Way Better Than Mateus Fernandes

via Reuters

Reports at the start of this month suggested that Liverpool were ready to hijack Manchester United’s talks to sign Mateus Fernandes from recently-relegated West Ham United.

The Merseysiders were described as being the team to watch in the race for the 21-year-old, although it does appear right now as though the Red Devils are in the box seat to land the young Portuguese star.

Liverpool would be signing a Fernandes upgrade in Bouaddi though, given how good he already looks at just 18 years of age.

Manchester United are in the middle of a major midfield rebuild, as they eye a second deal after completing a full agreement to sign Ederson from Atalanta.

The Brazilian reportedly underwent a medical in New York on Sunday ahead of completing a move to Man United, after the Red Devils agreed a deal with the Serie A outfit worth just under £40m for his signature.

Ederson only had one year remaining on his contract with the Bergamo-based outfit, with United chiefs moving quickly to bring him to Old Trafford after the player decided he only wanted to join them.

It is understood to be a similar situation for West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes, with United entering ‘official’ talks to sign the Portuguese star with his agent Jorge Mendes, as they prepare to make a first offer to the recently-relegated Hammers for the player.

According to Fabrizio Romano, West Ham value the 21-year-old at £85m even though they are now a Championship club, although United will surely hope to land him for a smaller fee as they ramp up their interest.

Real Madrid and Arsenal have shown interest in the young Portugal international, but it is thought that a switch to United is his most likely move with the player keen to link up with Bruno Fernandes at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’.

Baleba Speaking to Man United Players About Move

via Reuters

Even if United do complete a deal for Mateus Fernandes after Ederson, it has been suggested by some outlets that another central midfielder could still be targeted, should Manuel Ugarte join Casemiro through the Old Trafford exit door.

Journalist Chris Winterburn has claimed that the Red Devils will target either Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba or Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali after any potential deal for Fernandes, as they look to complete a major midfield rebuild.

The Sun recently reported that Baleba has been in talks with United players over a switch to Old Trafford, having also come close to a move to the Red Devils last summer.

GIVEMESPORT understands that an agreement on personal terms is already in place for the Cameroon international, dating back to last summer.

Baleba Viewed as the ‘New Casemiro’

via Reuters

One report suggested previously that United chiefs see Baleba as being the ‘new Casemiro’, and with his physical profile, athleticism and ball-winning abilities, it isn’t hard to see why.

Baleba certainly enjoyed a better 2024-25 season than the campaign that has just gone, with his performances far less consistent.

However, United clearly see the potential in the 22-year-old, who it must be remembered is still a young player even though he has shown performances beyond his years previously.

Baleba was valued at £100m by Brighton last summer, but United will be hoping that they could land him for a smaller fee in the upcoming transfer window given his drop in performance.

If the Red Devils could negotiate lower fees for both Fernandes and Baleba in the coming weeks, it would be a no-brainer and leave them with a strong midfield ahead of their return to the Champions League.