FIFA World Cup 2026 Faces Political Scrutiny Over Infantino's U.S. Ties

The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup is drawing criticism for alleged political entanglement. Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, is described as an ally of the Trump administration, with reports that a phone call from the U.S. president influenced decisions about player eligibility. Critics say FIFA is prioritising commercial goals – the tournament is projected to generate about $13 billion – while ignoring human‑rights concerns. The organization has not suspended the Israeli Football Association despite ongoing conflict in Gaza, where a Palestinian goalkeeper, Saleem al‑Ashqar, was killed by Israeli forces and other Palestinian athletes have been targeted. Amid the controversy, Egypt qualified for the round of 16 and Iran faced restrictions on a U.S. base, highlighting the wider geopolitical backdrop surrounding the event.