Polster Slams USA World Cup as a Joke

Former Austrian international striker Toni Polster has criticized the organization of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the expanded tournament format as “a joke.”

In comments reported by oe24.at on June 5, 2026, Polster expressed strong disapproval of the decision to increase the number of participating nations to 48. He argued that the expansion undermines the competitive integrity and prestige of the event.

Polster specifically questioned the potential qualification of smaller nations, mentioning Curacao and Haiti. He stated that such teams “have no place at a World Cup,” suggesting that the inclusion of less competitive sides dilutes the quality of the football played during the tournament.

Beyond the sporting quality, Polster raised concerns regarding the physical welfare of the athletes. He claimed that professional footballers are paying for the expanded format with their health, noting that the increased number of matches and the logistical demands of the tournament put an unsustainable burden on players.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marks the first time the tournament has expanded from 32 to 48 teams. This structural change is intended to broaden the global reach of the sport and provide more opportunities for developing football nations to compete on the world stage.

Under the new format, the tournament will feature more matches to determine a winner, which increases the total workload for players who already compete in demanding domestic leagues and other international competitions. The geographic scale of the North American hosting sites also introduces significant travel requirements for the participating squads.

Polster, a prolific goalscorer during his career with the Austrian national team and clubs such as Sevilla FC, is among several figures in the sport who have questioned the sustainability of the modern football calendar. The debate centers on whether the commercial benefits of a larger tournament outweigh the potential for player burnout and the reduction in the overall standard of competition.

The expansion to 48 teams has been a point of contention since it was approved by the FIFA Congress, with critics arguing that the move prioritizes revenue and political expansion over the athletic excellence traditionally associated with the World Cup.