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Disgraced former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has called for the sport to be reclaimed under new leadership, asserting that the World Cup has forfeited its credibility on American soil.
The World Cup has finally drawn to a close after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the Final, but while the soccer itself proved entertaining, the tournament was not without controversy. 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 kicked off late and was disrupted by a 27-minute halftime show, which significantly exceeded the standard 15-minute halftime break. Additional contentious talking points dominated discussions throughout the tournament, prompting Blatter to take aim at FIFA on social media, via The Mirror US.
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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 throughout the World Cup and stunned England 2-1 in the semifinals to advance to the Final. Following their victory over England, members of the Argentina national team unveiled a political banner referencing the 1982 Falklands War.
FIFA is supposed to operate as a neutral governing body, yet Infantino has forged an increasingly tight bond with Trump since the U.S. was awarded joint-hosting rights and he returned to the Oval Office. While Argentina could still face disciplinary action, the White House defended the team's right to free speech, directly undermining FIFA's authority.
Beyond the Argentina controversy, this World Cup has also shattered spending records by a considerable margin. Yet not every fan was able to secure a ticket due to stringent border controls, which left citizens of certain nations locked out of the tournament.
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The Iranian national team lodged multiple complaints regarding the harsh treatment it endured throughout the World Cup, amid Trump's ongoing and escalating conflict with the country. A Somali referee was also refused entry ahead of the tournament, robbing him of the opportunity to fulfill his dream of officiating on soccer's biggest stage.
A major controversy also engulfed the U.S. Men's National Team after FIFA opted to suspend Folarin Balogun's red card. Rather than serving the standard one-match ban that accompanies a red card at the World Cup, FIFA permitted him to continue playing for the co-hosts, following a call between Trump and Infantino.
These repeated incidents have left supporters deeply frustrated, casting a long shadow over FIFA's credibility and the sport's future direction. The next FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 18, 2027, with Infantino having already declared his bid for a fourth term, currently commanding the backing of more than 200 member associations worldwide.
Blatter held the position of FIFA's eighth President, serving between 1998 and 2015, before the organization suspended him in 2015. Blatter became embroiled in a significant FIFA corruption scandal and received a ban extending through 2027.
The ex-president was determined to have committed numerous breaches of FIFA's Code of Ethics, the majority concerning financial misconduct. Infantino appears poised to remain as FIFA President notwithstanding claims of political meddling.
