The 2026 World Cup, held on North American pitches, is stirring up huge emotions not only among fans but also among the greatest football authorities. Joining the ranks of critics of the tournament's current structure is Jose Mourinho, who, in an interview with the media, did not spare harsh words directed at the organizers and the very quality of the football being presented.
The Portuguese manager, known for his uncompromising approach, focused primarily on the intensity of the matches and the pace at which the subsequent stages of the tournament are played. In his opinion, the current format of the World Cup makes players victims of a commercial race, which directly translates into a decline in the quality of the spectacle on the pitch.
Mourinho: "Players are not machines"
In his statement, Jose Mourinho emphasized that the physical exhaustion of players after a long club season is being ignored by decision-makers. According to "The Special One," shortening the rest periods between matches in the group stage is a mistake that robs the game of what matters most: freshness and dynamics.
The coach pointed out the fact that many national teams are playing "for survival" rather than for victory. "When you see players who can barely run after 60 minutes, it ceases to be top-level football. It becomes a fight to see who cramps up first," the Portuguese fired back, sparking an avalanche of comments on social media.
Mourinho suggested that FIFA should seriously rethink the structure of the World Cup. In his view, too many teams and a condensed schedule lead to "weaker" teams parking the bus in their own penalty area, which kills the offensive potential of the tournament and irritates fans waiting for goals.
Criticism of the format and the "show" instead of sport
Another point Mourinho touched upon is the commercialization of the event. The legendary coach stated that the World Cup has become a great "show," where the sporting result takes a back seat to marketing needs and television schedules.
Mourinho noted that the atmosphere in the stadiums is fantastic, but the tactical quality of many matches leaves much to be desired. According to him, national team coaches have too little time to implement complex schemes, which makes the football more chaotic and based on individual errors rather than well-thought-out strategy.
There was also no shortage of references to refereeing and new technologies. Mourinho, although generally in favor of fairness, felt that the frequent stoppages related to VAR analysis during World Cup matches disrupt the teams' rhythm, which further negatively affects the flow of the game.
What's next for the national teams?
Mourinho's remarks coincided with reports of major federations searching for new head coaches, including Italy, where the name of Zbigniew Boniek is being mentioned in the context of restoring their former glory. Mourinho believes that success at the World Cup now requires more than just talent – it requires iron discipline and the ability to manage energy.
Will "The Special One's" words influence FIFA's decisions before future tournaments? Experts are divided, but they admit that the voice of such an experienced coach must be heard. For now, however, the football world is living through the next group stage matches, where Argentina, England, or Portugal are still fighting for the highest honors.
The question remains whether the World Cup organizers will draw conclusions from this sharp criticism. For now, fans are still getting excited about every goal, and Mourinho remains in the role of a stern observer who is not afraid to speak the truth to one's face, even when it is uncomfortable for football decision-makers.
This article was prepared automatically by the News PRO editorial team with the support of artificial intelligence.
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