FIFA is preparing to sanction players and coaches who publicly criticize match officials during the 2026 World Cup, but the hammer drops only once the final whistle blows on the last game. Disciplinary proceedings will be deferred, with actions potentially beginning the week after the final.
The trigger for this stance appears to be a series of high-profile incidents. Egypt coach Hossam Hassan reportedly made pointed remarks about officiating after his team’s match against Argentina. Figures like Thomas Tuchel and Manuel Akanji have also weighed in with their own critiques of referee decisions during the tournament.
The 2026 World Cup is the first to feature 48 teams, an expansion that has multiplied the number of matches. Red-card decisions and VAR interventions have been particular flashpoints, with several matches generating post-game commentary that FIFA apparently finds unacceptable.
Kraken’s front-row seat to the drama
Kraken has been named the Official Crypto Exchange Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The partnership represents a broader trend of crypto firms embedding themselves in major sports, designed to normalize digital assets for mainstream audiences.
