2026 World Cup: A Disappointing Finale and FIFA's Controversial Decisions
A Lackluster Conclusion to the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup concluded with a match that many would describe as disappointing: 120 minutes of lackluster football characterized by Argentina's aggressive play. This finale encapsulated a tournament that was largely forgettable and highlighted the glaring incompetence of FIFA and the United States as hosts. Over the span of 39 days, the essence of the World Cup seemed to fade away.
On the West Coast, the Iranian team faced troubling circumstances imposed by US authorities. They were forced to relocate their training camp to Tijuana, Mexico, and had to leave the US immediately after their games. At the airport, they experienced delays, with Mehdi Taremi labeling the situation as 'a disaster.' When I inquired with the Iranian captain about the five-hour journey from Tijuana to Los Angeles, which usually takes just 45 minutes, he simply replied, 'What do you think?'
Omar Artan, a prominent African referee, was denied entry at the border and barred from officiating in the tournament. This treatment of the Iranian team and the exclusion of the Somali referee raised questions about violations of the host contract, but FIFA's media office did not respond to inquiries.
As the matches commenced, the focus shifted, as fans and viewers worldwide remained captivated by the unique spectacle of the World Cup. Football has become a cultural phenomenon, marking significant moments in time: where were you when Diego Maradona dazzled against England in 1986? Did you witness Dennis Bergkamp's stunning goal against Argentina in 1998? Or the shocking 7-1 defeat of Brazil in 2014?
In North America, Cape Verde made a mark in Group H by holding Spain to a draw and advancing to the knockout rounds. However, the expanded format of 48 teams resulted in an overwhelming number of matches, leading to a situation where not every game felt significant.
What began as four thrilling weeks turned into a 5.5-week marathon of matches that often lacked excitement. Games like Qatar vs. Bosnia, Paraguay vs. Turkey, and Uzbekistan vs. DR Congo failed to capture interest. The World Cup's unique selling point—its inherent risk and unpredictability—was compromised.
The knockout stages brought renewed excitement, but they were overshadowed by exorbitant ticket prices, commercial breaks disguised as hydration breaks, and FIFA's questionable ties to gambling markets. Despite these issues, the world remained engaged. In the round of 32, Cape Verde nearly pulled off a historic upset against Argentina, losing 3-2 in extra time. Brazil eliminated Japan, while Norway triumphed over Ivory Coast, showcasing the talents of Erling Haaland.
The American audience quickly gravitated towards new stars like Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, and Jude Bellingham, with many adopting France as their second team. Yamal's sponsorship deal with Adidas significantly boosted his visibility, even featuring a giant cutout of him floating down New York's East River. However, before the round of 16, FIFA made a controversial decision that cast a long shadow over the tournament: the one-match suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun. Following a call from US President Donald Trump, FIFA inexplicably reviewed the suspension, raising serious concerns about political interference in the sport.
This incident marked one of the most perplexing moments in World Cup history, as FIFA and Infantino appeared to bend their own rules at the behest of a president with little interest in football. This political meddling contradicted FIFA's own principle of separating sports from politics.
From the dismissal of Miguel Maduro in 2017 for refusing to compensate migrant workers in Qatar to the expedited awarding of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, Infantino's FIFA has been marred by questionable dealings and backroom politics, making the previous administration of Sepp Blatter seem almost benign.
The integrity of the World Cup was severely undermined, raising doubts about what could be trusted in this tournament. The core principles of fair play were seemingly disregarded, leading to rampant conspiracy theories about match outcomes. Questions arose about whether referees favored Argentina or if FIFA had a vested interest in seeing Lionel Messi in the final.
FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino (right), defied their own rules to manipulate their flagship competition at the request of US President Donald Trump, who has little interest in the game. Reuters
This was not the first time Infantino had captured global attention beyond football. Last December, during the World Cup draw in Washington DC, he awarded the inaugural FIFA peace prize to Trump.
At the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan, I confronted Infantino and asked him twice if he would resign following the Balogun incident. He evaded the questions and left. Infantino even took a brief hiatus from the World Cup to mourn the father of Qatar's Emir, traveling over 112,000 kilometers on a private jet provided by Qatar Airways.
Despite the controversies, Infantino maintained his alliance with Trump. On the eve of the World Cup final, they were the main figures at a 'FIFA reception' at Trump Tower, marking the start of a MAGA weekend. Trump attended the final, which was marred by an overload of celebrities and an extended halftime show lasting 27 minutes.
Tom Cruise delivered a lackluster speech, echoing the FIFA mantra that football unites the world. However, Argentina had a different perspective; they were determined to secure a second title. Their dramatic comebacks had become a hallmark of the tournament, but their aggressive tactics ultimately backfired.
In a historic moment, Argentina became the first team to finish a World Cup final without a shot on target. As they sensed the title slipping away, they lost their composure, while the composed Spanish team secured a 1-0 victory in extra time.
Under the watchful eye of King Felipe of Spain, Infantino and Trump jointly presented the trophy to Rodri. FIFA reaped enormous profits, and Infantino envisioned a repeat of this success in 2038, potentially with an expanded 64-team format.
This strategy may ensure continued financial support for the 211 member associations, but as the sun set over MetLife Stadium and the tournament, a profound sadness lingered: the World Cup had lost its essence.