The 2026 FIFA World Cup finally kicked off on Thursday 11 June under a predictable cloud of controversy and farce.
Much of the discussion about what some are calling “the most politicised World Cup ever” has focussed on the unsuitability of the United States to host the tournament (alongside Mexico and Canada) given the various actions of the Trump regime – particularly its anti-immigration policies – as well as the exorbitant cost of tickets, travel, and accommodation.
These policies meant that Somalian referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the country and deported after a shameful 11-hour interrogation. This comes as fans and officials from many more countries (including the host of one of Trump’s golf courses, Scotland) have had visas rejected even after buying game tickets.
Due to the US-Israel war on Iran, the Iranian team have been forced to move their training base from Arizona (USA) to Tijuana (Mexico), with their visas allowing them to stay in the US for no more than 24 hours, despite all three of their group games being played on US soil.
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The joke goes that FIFA has lost control of its own tournament – and instead it has become the ‘MAGA World Cup’.
At a press conference on the eve of the tournament, FIFA president Gianni Infantino told the world media to “chill, relax”; and that they were discussing ways to solve the various issues which have plagued the build-up.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino tells people to “chill and relax” as his own tournament becomes plagued with chaos, visa bans, price gouging, and political tension pic.twitter.com/wTMoGBq7YD
— HOT SPOT (@HotSpotHotSpot) June 11, 2026
He went on to claim that only himself and Trump, with whom he has “a great relationship” (his own words), could have made this World Cup possible.
In truth, this tournament has exposed the utter corruption of FIFA and its willingness to bend to the policies of the regime that enabled it to host “the most lucrative event in sports history”.
If FIFA, and particularly Infantino, were truly interested in ‘the spirit of the game’ and ‘togetherness’ rather than power and money, then visa issues could have been sorted, allowing every fan to watch the tournament and “unite the world” – as FIFA claims to do.
Stinking hypocrisy aside, it is clear that big cultural events – whether it’s the World Cup, Eurovision, or February’s Superbowl – can no longer escape the whirlwinds of the world crisis of capitalism.
On the contrary, events that in the past promoted ‘international unity’ and ‘peace among friends’ nowadays become more little lightning rods for class hatred. Such is the charged atmosphere among the workers of the world.
Haiti censored by FIFA
Haiti has qualified to the World Cup – only for the second time in its history. Its football kit was designed to celebrate its proud revolutionary history, featuring elements of the Haitian Revolution.
But only two days before the tournament’s opening match, FIFA banned it, forcing a last-minute redesign.
A bit late but I finally got it- the Haiti world cup jersey that FIFA banned because of the flag raising artwork.💙 pic.twitter.com/rhxZYXc5Og
— Choen Lee (@ahchoen) June 27, 2026
For over 200 years since the revolution, Haiti has been attacked, occupied, and ruined by western imperialism, turning it into a country dominated by gang violence, corruption, and crisis. Basically a living nightmare for millions.
The decision by FIFA is a small example that Haiti is still being punished for daring to be free, for daring to free themselves from the bondage of chattel slavery.
I doubt FIFA would prefer, instead, a shirt design illustrating the long list of imperialist crimes inflicted on the Haitian masses. Maybe the bootlicker Infantino suggested a flattering portrait of Trump or Macron as an alternative.
Stan Laight, Harrow
Pothole parade
It’s no shocker that the notoriously bankrupt Birmingham city council has left the roads of the Jewellery Quarter littered with countless dangerous potholes.
Reports from locals of potholes the size of footballs have been crowding the council’s inboxes for months. These potholes have become so severe that several vehicles have reported costly damage. The council’s response? Lip service and waffle.
And yet within hours of the announcement of Aston Villa’s impromptu Europa League victory parade which saw fans and star athletes march down Birmingham’s streets, these very same potholes were fixed.
The magic of the football gods must have shone on Birmingham! Or rather, when it comes to celebrities and the spotlight of the media, somehow the money appears out of thin air!
The message is clear: there is money for the rich and famous, but none for us mere locals. This is Britain in 2026.
Tara Desai, Birmingham
