Didier Drogba gives expanded 48-team World Cup seal of approval

For the first time, the global showpiece will feature 48 teams, up from the traditional 32, and will be jointly hosted across the USA, Mexico and Canada.

Speaking to FIFA, the iconic forward shared why he believes the new structure is a positive step for the growth of the game worldwide.

"I'm very happy with the improvement of the organisation. I like the new format because it brings more teams from the African continent, which creates more room for development."

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Drogba also expects an even wider talent pool because of the new system.

The 47-year-old played in four World Cup tournaments for Ivory Coast, and he recalls how their first ever qualification united the country.

"We qualified for the first ever World Cup for our country in 2005, and that achievement was beyond football. Not only did we qualify, but we managed to get cease fires in our country, which was devastated by civil war at the time."

To express the emotion of that period, Drogba used the old adage ‘football is more than a game’ to express himself.