THE HALF-TORN FOOTBALL (translated article from Madhyamam)

Muhammad Dawood

Football Unites the World" has long been one of FIFA's defining slogans, but the 2026 FIFA World Cup has prompted questions about whether the tournament is reflecting that ideal. From visa-related challenges faced by supporters and participants travelling to the United States to persistent allegations of inconsistent refereeing in key matches, the event has been overshadowed by controversies that many believe have deepened divisions rather than celebrated football's unifying spirit. Critics also argue that FIFA has failed to project the independence expected of a global governing body, with some claiming it has appeared overly aligned with the policies of the host nation and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. If such perceptions continue to gain ground, FIFA's iconic slogan may increasingly be viewed through a different lens: "Football unites the world, but FIFA divides the world."

Let's start the political story of this World Cup with two red cards. US President Donald Trump has a role in both. The first was the denial of a visa to the US to Somali referee Omar Arta, who was selected by FIFA for the World Cup, as part of the US's entry restrictions. That political red card was not for professional reasons, but because of his own passport. This incident was not just the misfortune of one person. Football representatives and fans from Afro-Asian countries on the Trump administration's ban list had to face this misfortune. Thus, this became a World Cup of expulsions before kick-off. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said that world football's governing body cannot interfere in the host country's immigration policies. But can a country's government interfere in FIFA's World Cup?

The answer was unbelievable. Yes! American player Folarin Balogan was sent off in the round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the World Cup. The ban, which according to FIFA rules would have meant missing the next match, sparked a huge political debate in the United States. After President Donald Trump intervened, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee reviewed the case and Balogan was allowed to play in the next match.

That is, FIFA could not do anything about the political red card given by Trump to Omar Artan. However, Trump was able to revoke the red card given by FIFA to Balogun. The moment it became clear who the real referee in this World Cup was!

Clueless clown

VAR, which comes in like a clown without any sense of the stage, has changed the World Cup even in the galleries. The spectators, who used to burst into joy as soon as a goal was scored, now started looking at the referee and the VAR for permission to celebrate. VAR is the field monitor of algorithms that control human emotions. Even the joy is not complete until the message "VAR Check Over" is displayed. After many matches in the World Cup, there was a complaint that this system, which was introduced to make the decisions flawless, was also biased. Discussions also heated up as to whether technology should interfere so much in the World Cup, which is a magnificent display of human ability.

VAR was initially adopted as a divine vision that ensures ultimate justice in moments where human eyes might fail. It was a bright prospect in the 2018 World Cup. But by 2026, VAR itself was in doubt. However, it cannot be described as a Frankenstein invention. Because the camera is not biased. However, it is humans who decide when to examine the scenes on the camera and from which angle. Therefore, the truth is that human discriminations and prejudices remain intact in this system.

Ban on Iran

The Iranian national football team qualified for this World Cup through tough competition. However, even tougher challenges awaited them in the United States. The long-standing diplomatic conflict between the two countries, security concerns, and immigration restrictions all cast a shadow over the World Cup. FIFA, which rejected Iran’s request to move their matches to Canada or Mexico, did not even allow them to stay in the city after the match in Los Angeles. The team had to return to the team’s base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, overnight. “Let no other team that comes to the World Cup have to go through this situation again,” said captain Mehdi Taremi. The Iranian national team’s World Cup experience is the most visible example of how geopolitics affects football. It was also a difficult time for the Iranian team on the field. Although they did not lose a single match in the group stage, they failed to reach the knockout stages due to a goal difference.

Maradona's prophecy or Hydration break

The Americans will cut the game into four halves instead of two. Then they will insert advertisements into them—a World Cup that has become a reality in the words of Argentine legend Diego Maradona in 2018, after the United States was awarded the World Cup. The screens were filled with advertisements as the players separated for a three-minute hydration break in the 22nd minute of each half. FIFA's explanation is that these breaks are to protect the health of players in the intense heat of American stadiums. However, the course and direction of many matches changed after the breaks.

First among equals

'All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others' is what George Orwell says in his book Animal Farm. The question in football circles is whether that animal is Argentina. Several teams have argued that Argentina is being given an advantage, including in refereeing. It is alleged that Argentina's eyes, which do not see fouls, have even counted tackles by the opposing team as fouls. The Argentina-Egypt match in the pre-quarterfinals has become a long indictment of allegations. After Egypt's second goal, there was an argument in the literature that VAR, which even considered fouls from a hundred yards away, turned a blind eye to fouls by Argentine players. Beyond the fan war, this has become an issue that cannot be ignored, as former players and experts have all taken up the issue.

There is no evidence to prove that FIFA favors Argentina. Therefore, these allegations cannot be presented as facts. However, perceptions also play a huge role in sports competitions. It is not enough for referees to be impartial; the world must also believe that they are. Trust is a referee's greatest asset. When that trust is undermined, every whistle, every penalty, every red card becomes suspect. These breaks often act as a sudden break for a team's attacks that are moving forward smoothly. There is also a strong concern that this will become the new normal in football due to the huge potential for advertising revenue.

Country and Politics

Israel and Palestine are two countries that are full of talent in the tournament despite not qualifying for this World Cup. This major rupture in global geopolitics has not only divided the World Cup teams but also the countries of the world. The world has been divided into two poles: those who support Israel and those who advocate for Palestine. In the galleries, flags expressing solidarity with Palestine and voices supporting Israel have risen. The world's biggest celebration has also become a litmus test of political positions. Fans' favorite teams, like Argentina government were subjected to scrutiny of their policies. President Javier Miquel's foreign policy and his public support for Israel were the subject of much discussion on social media, and this was reflected in fan debates about the national team. This has also strengthened the phenomenon of what can be called political football fandom, which supports a country's team based on political positions. Along with this, another question arises. Is a football team the political representatives of that country? Or is it a team that showcases that country to the world, beyond political positions?

(Translated from Madhyamam Daily; July 12, 2026)