The almost chaotic scenes at the final match of the 35th edition of the African Cup of Nations in Morocco in January this year should have prepared the minds of football lovers for the man-made orchestrations in this year’s FIFA World Cup that nearly brought the beautiful game of football to disrepute. Never has there been so much deep-seated sour taste in the mouth in any edition of the global showpiece as the 2026 edition hosted by Mexico/United States/Canada.
Admittedly, one must salute the high level of football artistry on display by the 48 participating countries, including the quality of a few any football fans might have hitherto dismissed with a wave of the hands. The politics, manipulations, and glaring inactions by Gianni Infantino’s FIFA and a few ego-filled teams point to a dangerous dimension that portends serious danger to the health of the beautiful game.
In his 10th year in charge of FIFA, Infantino is clearly on a descent, and towards an unplanned exit that may save the Italian from drowning himself in shame.
Never has a FIFA president demonstrated his readiness to be manipulated by the powerful regardless of the risk of such a move. This man has strangely and obviously demonstrated his preference for certain teams over others. Only Infantino would be able to explain why he was able to threaten fire and brimstone after the drama at the AFCON final in Rabat between eventual champion, Senegal, and hosts Morocco, but curiously became blind after the embarrassment football was subjected to by ‘FIFA-anointed team’, Argentina, who deservedly lost the final match to European champions, Spain, penultimate Sunday.
