The 2026 World Cup, a spectacle of footballing drama, has left an indelible mark on the sport, but not for the reasons FIFA might have hoped. As an expert commentator, I find myself reflecting on the tournament's impact, both on the pitch and off, and the implications it holds for the future of football. The Balogun Affair, a controversial decision to bend the rules for a player's participation, sets a concerning precedent. It raises the question: is the prioritization of revenue generation over fairness and tradition becoming the norm? This incident, combined with FIFA's gerrymandering of qualification criteria, suggests a disturbing trend. Personally, I think that the World Cup's expansion to 64 teams, as proposed by Infantino, is a strategic move to shore up his base, especially considering the damage caused by US immigration policies. However, this expansion may also lead to a further commodification of the tournament, making it less accessible to the regular fans who love the sport. The treatment of Iran, with its scandalous handling, sets a worrying precedent for future tournaments. The idea that a reasonable proportion of tickets should be available to regular fans is now gone, and the World Cup is becoming a luxury event. The price paid by host cities is also a significant concern. In the US and Canada, street sweeps of the homeless and environmental damage linked to World Cup projects are alarming. The media's treatment at the tournament was equally concerning. While some venues were welcoming, basic organization and facilities were poor, indicating a contemptuous attitude towards the media. The football itself was good but not great, with many fine and dramatic games, but unfortunately, most of them were in the last 32 or last 16. The quarter-finals were not inspiring, and the final was dismal, a direct consequence of Argentina's indulgence earlier in the tournament. In my opinion, the 2026 World Cup will be remembered as a tournament that prioritized revenue over fairness and tradition, and its impact on the sport will be felt for years to come. The tournament's legacy is one of compromise and scandal, and it raises important questions about the future of football.
