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“You can’t look at one result,” Montagliani continued. “You’re always going to have 6-1 games at any World Cup.

“The 48-team (tournament) goes to a 32-team knockout (phase) right away. It’s better. You only play two games in the first round. You can’t mess around. You can’t rest guys.

“We have eight years, a few more expanded Euros and an expanded Gold Cup. In eight years I think you’re going to have teams that are ready to go. I’m actually less worried about it.”

Four years after seeing three of its four World Cup entries advance to the Round of 16, CONCACAF teams finished this year’s group stage with a 2-6-1 record. Those in the anti-World Cup expansion camp point to the fact just two sides from outside Europe or South America are still alive.

“With all due respect, those pundits come from the same countries. If it was up to some of those countries we’d still have eight teams in the World Cup,” Montagliani said.

“Some of the countries might not even want to go to the World Cup because they already think they’re champions so let everybody else play. Come on, man. Get with the times,” he added.

The current proposal will see under-represented confederations receive more entries into the 2026 tournament, with Asia and Africa allotted eight and nine spots, respectively. Canada’s confederation (CONCACAF) is expected to receive six entries, though three of them are expected to go to host nations.

“Those who question it are in the minority when it comes to the football world,” Montagliani answered, adding “world football is a lot different (in other regions).