The FIFA World Cup has never truly been free from politics — and some years stand out as especially controversial. This year is one of them.

Sport and politics tangle over visas, sanctions and fan support

The FIFA World Cup has never truly been free from politics — and some years stand out as especially controversial. This year is one of them.

No matter how intently we listen to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s repetitive hymns extolling the “purity of the game” and its pristine detachment from politics, reality…