FIFA has another World Cup host problem, but the president of football’s world governing body is once again turning a blind eye to many of the issues the organisation claims to care about.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was highly controversial and raised numerous human rights issues. The 2026 edition looks set to have similar problems in the United States, which is co-hosting the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico.
“Fifa’s vision is to make football truly global, diverse and inclusive, for the benefit of the entire world,” reads a quote on the website of football’s global governing body, attributed to its president Gianni Infantino.
Joao Pedro’s emotional goals against Fluminense captured the magic of an international club competition. But even as fans bring colour and passion, the Club World Cup’s deeper issues loom large, writes JAMES NALTON
JAMES NALTON discusses how Fifa claims to be apolitical, but as Infantino and Juventus players stood behind Trump discussing war, gender, and global politics, the line between sport and statecraft vanished
Dabbagh and his Palestinian team’s World Cup campaign may have come to an end, but it has given fans hope amid war and tragedy, writes JOHN DUERDEN


