Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Algerian sports commentator Hafid Derradji claimed in an appearance on ONSPORT FM that Morocco’s 2022 World Cup semi-final run raised concerns within FIFA, arguing that the organization favors traditional powerhouses such as Argentina and France to reach the final stages for commercial and marketing reasons.
Responding to a question about whether FIFA preferred the presence of the traditional giants at the 2026 World Cup for marketing reasons, Derradji answered: “Firstly, we should not exaggerate. Secondly, yes, without lying to each other, there is a subtle yet existing tendency, whether explicitly or implicitly, to make powerhouse teams like Spain, Argentina, France, England and Portugal reach the final rounds.”
He argued that FIFA wants the World Cup to remain a tournament dominated by football’s traditional powers.
“In their opinion, the World Cup must maintain the principle that the tournament is only for the traditional giants,” Derradji said, arguing that Morocco’s qualification to the 2022 World Cup semi-final “irked FIFA officials, and raised concerns.”
“For them, this scenario must not be repeated and is impossible to happen again,” he said.
Derradji further explained that “in their view, the World Cup would lose its value when a team such as Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, or Saudi Arabia wins the title. FIFA would consider that a flaw.”
“There is something implicit, but we should not overstate it,” the Algerian commentator added.
At the same time, he cautioned against blaming every defeat on conspiracy theories. “We should not just give up, make excuses and say: we didn’t win the World Cup because they wanted to give it to Argentina, or we didn’t win the match because they wanted to give it to France or England.”
Derradji’s statements came after France ended Morocco’s World Cup campaign in a 2-0 quarter-final defeat, eliminating the last remaining Arab and African nation from the tournament.
