Now is not the time for hypocrisy. The Football World Cup is the most exciting sporting competition on the planet, along with the Olympic Games. The 2026 edition was no exception to the rule. She thrilled football fans all over the world. She crowned a magnificent champion. She allowed Lionel Messi to surpass himself before bursting into tears at almost 40 years old. She saw Switzerland break its glass ceiling. It was a real sporting and popular success.
Unfortunately, despite the multitude of magnificent encounters and great stories, the 2026 World Cup will also be remembered for the wrong reasons. Football was taken hostage there. The beauty of sport and the game has been tarnished by too many scandals.
It now seems a long way off, but let’s not forget that Somali referee Omar Artan was banned from American territory before the competition. Even though he had been selected by FIFA for this World Cup and had a valid visa. Or the restrictions imposed, and contrary to the regulations of the football governing body, by the Trump administration on Iran.
Respect for sport in the background
How can we address the United States’ transgressions of FIFA regulations without mentioning the Balogun affair? The biggest scandal of this World Cup. President Donald Trump unscrupulously admitted that he called Gianni Infantino to review the red card received by Folarin Balogun. Unheard of in the modern history of competition.
In another register of breaking the law, it is impossible not to mention the halftime show of the final, worthy of a pale copy of the Super Bowl, to remain polite. The break lasted 29 minutes instead of the usual 15 minutes listed in the regulations.
The United States has proven its power. They have demonstrated that they feel above the laws: those of war, the economy or sport. And that’s what’s most worrying.
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