25/07/2026
A World Cup Not to Forget in a Hurry
By Alpha Abu
The curtain finally came down on the 2026 FIFA World Cup at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, 19 July. Spain lifted the coveted trophy after defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 in a final that, given Spain's dominance, perhaps should never have gone into extra time. The Spaniards were simply too good for their opponents. While the final had its fair share of controversy—something that became a recurring theme throughout the tournament—football ultimately emerged victorious. Yet the ugly scenes that overshadowed the closing stages reflected much of what had unfolded between June and July across the three host nations, where teams battled for the game's biggest prize. The controversies were simply too many to ignore.
Politics and a Tarnished Image
Rarely has a FIFA World Cup generated so many talking points, both on and off the pitch. United States striker Folarin Balogun was shown a red card for an alleged stamp, although television replays raised reasonable doubts over whether the referee's decision was excessively harsh. The debate took another twist when, just hours before the hosts' crucial match against Belgium, FIFA rescinded the dismissal, making Balogun available for selection.
As football commentators were still digesting the unexpected reversal, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly claimed he had influenced the decision.
His remarks intensified criticism of FIFA, with many questioning whether the world governing body had compromised the integrity of the competition. FIFA President Gianni Infantino had already come under increasing scrutiny over his perceived closeness to Trump, including presenting him with a peace award, while several controversial refereeing decisions involving Lionel Messi's Argentina fuelled accusations among critics that the defending champions were receiving favourable treatment. Those critics argued that commercial interests and sponsorship considerations had influenced decision-making, although FIFA consistently rejected such suggestions.
There was also controversy surrounding the treatment of Iran's national team during the tournament in the United States. Many observers felt the episode ran contrary to FIFA's long-standing position that football should remain separate from politics, yet the governing body was widely criticised for what some regarded as a muted response.
Terrible Officiating, Dark Arts and Lack of Accountability
If one issue dominated discussion throughout the tournament, it was the standard of officiating. Numerous refereeing decisions sparked fierce debate, but few attracted as much criticism as Egypt's Round of 16 defeat to Argentina. Many football pundits, former players and coaches believed the Pharaohs were denied justice when what appeared to be a legitimate goal by Mohamed Zico was ruled out. The strike would have given Egypt a commanding advantage and, many argued, changed the course of the match.
Slumped on the substitutes' bench after being replaced, Zico watched in disbelief as Argentina recovered to win 3-2. Fighting back tears after the final whistle, the visibly distraught forward claimed the match had been manipulated in favour of the South Americans, despite FIFA's long-standing policy of discouraging public discussion of controversial officiating.
"The injustice was clear," he said before adding, "But God is sufficient for us."
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan also voiced his frustration. Amid the confusion following the final whistle, he stood before the referee with his arms crossed—a symbolic gesture that his camp said reflected FIFA's anti-racism message while highlighting what they believed was a denial of fair treatment.
Many supporters also believed Argentina escaped punishment for repeated fouls and gamesmanship throughout the tournament, including a challenge by Lionel Messi on Algeria's Aïssa Mandi that generated widespread debate. The final against Spain further intensified criticism as an outclassed Argentine side became increasingly ill-disciplined during the closing stages. For many observers, Messi's subdued response as captain while teammates, including Leandro Paredes, became involved in confrontations represented an unfortunate blemish on an otherwise extraordinary career and an unhappy ending to one of football's greatest legends.
More broadly, the standard of refereeing remained one of the tournament's most contentious issues. Whether the problems stemmed from poor officiating or something more serious, many decisions—or failures to make them—proved difficult to explain. The Paraguay-France encounter was a notable example. Despite repeated confrontations, aggressive challenges and persistent provocation directed at the French players, not a single Paraguayan was sent off. Many regarded it as one of the poorest officiated matches in World Cup history and a low point for the tournament.
The controversy did not end there. The fallout later included a racial outburst by Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla directed at French star Kylian Mbappé, adding yet another regrettable chapter to a tournament already overshadowed by controversy.
Fans' Celebration and Unity
As polarising as many of the tournament's controversies proved to be, the 2026 World Cup also showcased football's remarkable ability to unite people from different cultures and backgrounds. Across the United States, Canada and Mexico, supporters transformed city centres into vibrant festivals of colour, music and celebration. Americans, in particular, embraced the influx of visiting fans, who filled streets, parks and public squares with an atmosphere that reflected the game's global appeal.
Among the most memorable were Scotland's supporters, whose traditional kilts, bagpipes and infectious enthusiasm captivated both locals and television audiences around the world. Boston, in particular, became something of a second home for the Tartan Army. Their reputation for celebrating long into the night became legendary, with some local bar owners reportedly ordering additional beer supplies to cope with demand.
Norwegian supporters were equally impressive. Their synchronised rowing celebration, inspired by the country's Viking heritage, quickly became one of the tournament's most recognisable fan traditions, eventually being adopted by the players themselves after victories. The Dutch also won widespread admiration with their energetic left-right dance routines, which became a familiar feature both inside stadiums and in fan parks. When Scotland, Norway and the Netherlands eventually exited the competition, many neutrals admitted the tournament lost some of its colour and atmosphere.
Players' Fashion Statement
While previous World Cups have largely focused attention on events inside the stadiums, the 2026 edition also became a showcase for fashion and cultural identity. Teams used their arrival outfits to celebrate their heritage, with several delegations making bold statements long before kick-off.
Perhaps the standout was the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their sharply tailored suits, featuring distinctive leopard-print panels inspired by the country's cultural heritage, generated enormous attention on social media. The outfits drew widespread admiration, particularly among Black American audiences, and elevated the international profile of France-based Congolese designer Alvin Junior Mak.
Côte d'Ivoire also attracted considerable praise. The Ivorians arrived wearing bright orange blazers featuring an elephant emblem across the back, paired with crisp white trousers that reflected both elegance and national pride. In what many described as football's most social media-driven World Cup yet, other nations, including Senegal and Saudi Arabia, also used traditional attire to celebrate their identity, demonstrating that the tournament had become as much a cultural exhibition as a sporting spectacle.
Overstepping Rules and Tradition
Since its inception in 1930, the FIFA World Cup has been governed by traditions that successive host nations have generally respected. While the Laws of the Game have evolved over the decades through formal approval by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), many observers felt the 2026 tournament introduced changes that blurred the line between sporting necessity and commercial interest.
One of the most debated innovations was the expanded use of hydration breaks. Critics questioned their necessity, particularly in matches played inside climate-controlled stadiums in the United States. Many argued that the three-minute stoppages in each half created additional opportunities for television advertising rather than serving a purely sporting purpose.
Another unprecedented moment came before the final. Traditionally, only the competing finalists have their national anthems played before kick-off. Yet the host nation's anthem was also performed, with Jennifer Hudson delivering "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the anthems of Spain and Argentina. For many football traditionalists, it represented another departure from long-established World Cup protocol.
As the tournament drew to a close, calls for reform within FIFA grew louder. Critics questioned whether President Gianni Infantino should seek another term when his current mandate expires, arguing that the tournament had damaged confidence in the organisation. Others pointed to FIFA's considerable influence over many of its 211 member associations—particularly smaller football nations that depend heavily on FIFA development funding—and suggested this concentration of power leaves too little room for meaningful accountability. Whether those criticisms will translate into meaningful institutional change remains to be seen, but there is little doubt that the events of the 2026 World Cup have intensified scrutiny of football's governing body.
Winning Hearts and Minds
Whatever one's view of the controversies that surrounded the tournament, few would dispute that Cabo Verde captured the imagination of football fans around the world. Making their FIFA World Cup debut, the tiny African island nation of just over half a million people produced one of the competition's greatest fairy-tale stories. Defying expectations, they progressed to the Round of 32 and pushed defending champions Argentina into extra time before eventually bowing out in a thrilling 3-2 defeat.
At the heart of their remarkable run was veteran goalkeeper Josimar Dias, better known by his nickname Vozinha. At 40 years old, he went from relative obscurity to international recognition almost overnight. His emotional account of the sacrifices he had made before the tournament touched millions and even led to his mother, Ana Cândida Évora, being sponsored to attend one of his matches.
Vozinha's heroics, particularly against Argentina, earned widespread admiration across the football world. His growing popularity even found its way into popular culture. During one of his stand-up performances, Iranian-American comedian Max Amini was informed by an audience member that the goalkeeper also worked as an electrician. Amini promptly turned the revelation into comedy, mimicking Vozinha's movements on the pitch while jokingly attributing them to "electrical current"—a humorous nod to his profession away from football.
The goalkeeper's remarkable rise was also reflected on social media. Before the tournament, Vozinha reportedly had around 46,000 Instagram followers. By the end of the World Cup, that figure had reportedly grown dramatically, illustrating once again football's extraordinary ability to transform lives.
The tournament also produced lighter moments away from the stadiums. A pet duck named Merlin, dressed in Mexico's national colours, became an unlikely internet sensation as videos showed the bird waddling through the streets of Mexico City surrounded by delighted supporters.
Perhaps one of the biggest winners of the tournament was football itself in the United States. Americans continued to embrace what they still affectionately call "soccer", with reports suggesting that a record audience tuned in to watch the final. For FIFA, it represented another encouraging sign that the world's most popular sport is steadily strengthening its foothold in one of its most important commercial markets.
Villains from Within?
As expected, emotions ran high throughout the tournament. Passion is part of football's appeal, but some reactions crossed the line and highlighted the darker side of modern fandom.
Norway striker Alexander Sørloth became the target of intense online abuse after failing to pass to Erling Haaland during his side's Round of 16 defeat to England. Many supporters believed the missed opportunity could have given Norway a two-goal cushion and made an English comeback significantly more difficult.
In the aftermath of the match, Sørloth's girlfriend revealed that both of them had received deeply abusive messages on social media, including posts encouraging them to take their own lives. Elsewhere on YouTube and other platforms, some users even joked that Viking folklore had always included the story of a traitor among its ranks—a tasteless reference to the incident that reflected the excesses of online football culture.
Another talking point centred on Portugal. Some supporters questioned what they perceived as a lack of understanding between Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, accusing Fernandes of repeatedly overlooking Ronaldo in attacking situations. Whether justified or not, the debate became another example of how quickly social media narratives can shape public perception during major tournaments.
Another Four Years of Wait
The final whistle has blown on another unforgettable FIFA World Cup. Attention will now return to domestic leagues, continental championships and club competitions before the world's greatest football spectacle returns in 2030, when Portugal, Spain and Morocco will jointly host the tournament.
For now, however, supporters across the globe continue to relive the drama, brilliance, heartbreak and controversy that defined the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Whether remembered for Spain's triumph, Cabo Verde's inspiring journey, unforgettable fan celebrations or the debates that engulfed FIFA and officiating, this was a tournament that ensured football remained at the centre of the global conversation.
Years from now, the memories of World Cup 2026—both inspiring and contentious—will continue to be debated. That, perhaps more than anything else, is why it will not be forgotten in a hurry.
