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Disgraced former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has called for soccer to be reclaimed under new leadership, insisting that the World Cup has lost its credibility in the United States.
The World Cup has finally come to an end after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the final, but while the soccer has been entertaining, the tournament has been controversial. President Donald Trump attended Sunday's final alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino and refused to leave the stage as Spain lifted the trophy.
The match also started late and was interrupted by a 27-minute halftime show, which exceeded the 15-minute halftime break. Other controversial talking points have dominated conversations during the World Cup, and Blatter has slammed FIFA on social media.
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"The longest World Cup has come to an end - with the right champions," Blatter wrote on X. "But on the way to the final whistle, the tournament had lost its credibility.
"Politics must not be allowed to overshadow the game. Now it is up to the fans, players, and national associations to reclaim football and bring it back to its roots under new leadership. #Fifa #worldcup #fifahalftimeshow #donaldtrump #gianniinfantino."
Argentina benefited from several favorable decisions during the World Cup and stunned England 2-1 in the semifinals, advancing to the championship game. After beating England, members of the Argentina national team unveiled a political banner referencing the 1982 Falklands War.
FIFA is meant to be a neutral governing body, but Infantino has grown extremely close to Trump since the U.S. was awarded joint-hosting rights and he returned to office. While Argentina could still face action, the White House defended the team's right to free speech and undermined FIFA.
Away from Argentina, the World Cup has also been the most expensive in history by some margin. However, not everyone was able to obtain a ticket due to strict border enforcement, which alienated citizens of some nations.
The Iranian national team also made several complaints over the harsh treatment it received during the World Cup, while Trump remains in a major conflict with the nation. A Somali referee was also denied entry before the tournament, preventing him from realizing his dream of officiating at the World Cup.
There was also a huge scandal involving the United States men's national team, as FIFA suspended Folarin Balogun's red card. Rather than miss one match, the standard procedure for a red card received during the World Cup, FIFA allowed him to play for the co-hosts.
Several incidents have upset fans during the World Cup, raising concerns about FIFA's integrity and the future of soccer. The next FIFA presidential election will be held on March 18, 2027, and Infantino has announced his campaign for a fourth term and currently holds backing from over 200 member associations globally.
Blatter was the eighth FIFA President and served from 1998 to 2015, but was suspended by the organization in 2015. Blatter was linked with a major FIFA corruption case and was banned until 2027.
The former president was found to have multiple violations of the FIFA Code of Ethics, most of which involved financial wrongdoing. Infantino looks set to continue as FIFA President despite accusations of political interference.
