The tournament had weathered a series of scandals related to the current administration. Now, a red card reversal threatens to upend it.

The tournament had weathered a series of scandals related to the current administration. Now, a red card reversal threatens to upend it.

For 24 days, the World Cup seemed to achieve a rare feat in America in 2026: It had almost nothing to do with Donald Trump.

Ian Buruma observes that this year’s tournament seems to belong to the masses, not to corrupt strongmen or oligarchs.