The most controversial episode came when US striker Folarin Balogun received a red card, later overturned by FIFA after intervention from Donald Trump.
FIFA's sudden change of heart shattered the illusion of integrity. UEFA called the decision "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable."
The International Olympic Committee is being asked to investigate whether FIFA president Gianni Infantino breached political neutrality rules.
This is not without precedent.
In November 2025, FIFA suspended part of Cristiano Ronaldo's ban for a red card in a qualifier, clearing him for group-stage matches.
Such clemency underscores FIFA's willingness to indulge big attractions, especially with dynamic pricing schemes.
Disinformation has also spread through AI-generated images and videos.
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One manipulated image showed a man resembling Adolf Hitler celebrating a German goal; another showed British PM Keir Starmer in a Croatia jersey.
These prey on emotions, blurring reality and fiction.
Infantino fawned over Trump despite the US president's handling of the Iran war and immigration crackdown. He even invented a peace prize to appease Trump.
For Infantino, the US is the crown jewel of football's new era, ignoring FIFA's own ethics code.
Iran's team had to shuttle between Mexico and the US due to visa restrictions, describing their experience as a "disaster."
When Iran failed to reach the knockout stage while one host nation bombed the country, many saw it as a profound injustice.
More Than Just a Game
The Egypt-Argentina game cannot be considered without the context of what Egypt stood for. The team became a source of collective joy for the Arab world and Africa.
