Fifa World Cup 2026 draw derailed as politics overshadow football

COMMENT

The much-anticipated draw for the Fifa World Cup 2026 took a shocking turn on Friday evening as the event at Washington’s prestigious Kennedy Centre spiralled into a chaotic blend of football and politics.

The offerings at the Final Draw diverged starkly from its original intention as a celebration of the beautiful game. It was supposed to signal a joyful countdown to the world’s largest football tournament, but instead, it turned into a long, fragmented spectacle that bewildered fans and officials.

The draw, which determines the group-stage match-ups for the upcoming tournament co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, was overshadowed by an unexpected wave of political discourse that erupted during the event.

Early in the evening, Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s declaration that “it’s not a normal draw” appeared to foreshadow a night where a series of contentious statements and jarring humour overshadowed the global sporting event.

The resultant outcry on social media pointed to deep unease among fans and analysts alike, as it featured politicised interpretations of global crises.

Such overt politicisation, which some felt bordered on propaganda, left many baffled, with the sport taking a back seat to a surreal performance that often resembled a corporate event more than a sports celebration.

Critics voiced concerns that Fifa, tasked with nurturing and protecting the integrity of football, appears to have lost sight of its core responsibilities. Instead of revelling in the magic of international competition, the draw revealed a troubling trend driven by marketability over sporting integrity.

The controversial awarding of a Peace Prize to US president Donald Trump highlighted this trend. This decision faced significant backlash and further deepened the divide between Fifa’s leadership and the football community.

As the narrative unfolded during a long and drawn-out ceremony, it became evident that the focus was less on the teams and more on the theatrics and messages from individuals who many believe have little understanding of the sport’s true essence.

The well-travelled football personality Muhsin Ertuğral, who worked as a technical advisor in several countries, also expressed his feelings. He is also a former Kaizer Chiefs coach, and he said that football was second and entertainment was first.

He echoed the sentiments of numerous fans trying to grasp how the event felt so distanced from the global camaraderie and passion that football typically engenders. It was clear that many may have looked on with dismay as the essence of the game they loved slipped further from its roots.

For many, a draw meant to honour the world’s most cherished sport instead became a stage marred by misjudgement and a desperate thirst for marketing success at the expense of dignity.

As the countdown to this largest-ever World Cup continues, the question arises of how FIFA will tackle the challenges, both logistical and ethical, that lie ahead.

With increasing global tensions and a rise in the politicisation of sport, the challenge remains. World football must diligently reclaim its rightful place, or the game will forever be a pawn in grander political plays.