Ghanaian international Mohammed Kudus has described the FIFA World Cup as the “crème de la crème” of football, placing it above the UEFA Champions League in terms of prestige and significance.
While acknowledging the Champions League as the pinnacle of European club football, the West Ham United star believes nothing compares to the global spectacle and emotional weight of the World Cup, which he considers the true “main event” in the sport.
Kudus is uniquely placed to make the comparison, having featured in both competitions. He made his Champions League debut in 2020, playing for Ajax against Liverpool at the Johan Cruyff Arena, before experiencing the World Cup for the first time at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar with the Black Stars.
The midfielder was one of Ghana’s standout performers at the tournament, scoring two goals in three appearances to make his maiden World Cup outing a memorable one. Despite Ghana’s early exit, the experience left a lasting impression on the 24-year-old.
“It was really nice. I think the World Cup is the best football tournament,” Kudus told Rising Ballers in an exclusive interview. “The Champions League is up there, but the World Cup was just different in Qatar. It was my first time.”
The occasion was made even more special by the presence of his family in the stands. “My family flew all the way to support me, so it was an amazing feeling,” he added.
Although Ghana did not progress as far as hoped, Kudus described the experience as unparalleled. “We didn’t go as far as I would have loved us to go, but it was nice to experience the World Cup. To be part of it was second to none,” he said.
With attention now turning to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Kudus will be eager to help Ghana secure another appearance on football’s grandest stage. The Black Stars are set to face Chad and Madagascar in the upcoming international window, with Kudus expected to play a key role as Ghana chase back-to-back World Cup qualifications.
