The 2026 World cup amidst all the talks over the line about the geo political influence on the game has been planned to be held in the North American region of USA, Mexico and Canada. After the final confirmation of the 48 teams who have qualified for the world cup, the group Stage draw was held on Dec 5th at the John F Kennedy center for performing Arts in the capital city of America, Washington. For the first time the group stage draw of a fifa world cup has gained significant criticism for the artificial adjustments made to solely please the United states delegates compromising with the royalty of the Central authority of football.
Nitpicking was not necessary as the show provided talking points from the beginning with Israel Prime minister Benjamin netanyahu waving along with Trump regarding political introduction in the game when his presence was not necessary.
The US president Donald Trump was the primary guest of the evening and a serious turn of events made the fans go disappointed over how the global representative of football Gianni Infantino could go on to be a pleaser for Trump and his actions. Donald Trump was presented a Peace prize on behalf of FIFA attaining the status of the inaugral winner of the award. He was presented with a trophy, medal and a certificate. This clearly comes at the back of the failed attempt of Donald Trump trying to win the Nobel peace prize.
The sculpting of the prize paid off a good mockery for the fans, considerably due to its abnormal hands on the globe design symbolizing peace.
After the felicitation, Infantino said “Donald, its your place. You can do whatever you want” live on the draw submitting the entire dignity to mere regional promotion. This flattering hospitality that Infantino exhibited had fans wondering who runs the game.
Adding to this, the draw in itself was poorly organized alien to what has happened in the past and the prolonged delay before the actual draw had fans boiling in anger. Followed by this was a misunderstanding between his fellow host and Rio ferdinand. An awkwardness existed on live where both of them visibly not able to ease the situation. Arguments arised that it could also be a banter in between but they less seemed to even stage it.
Further Fifa’s attempt to bring in Sports stars from the Americas region took a different toll as Wayne Gretzky, an ice hockey legend representing canada could not hold on to the Legitimate pronounciations during his chance of team draws. Gretzky fumbled badly while trying to pronounce the names of the countries Curacao and North Macedonia.
Shaquille O’ neal, the infamous American Basketball legend was one among the quartet of sports stars invited. He had his fair share off intrusiveness into the spotlight by making artificially cross connected football statement that was rather Unfunny
Next embarassing thing came in the form of Trump’s body moves to show off his enthusiastic nature while the entire concert styled stunt was off colours for a football draw.
Infantino throughout the event continued to cater the american audience. The pulse catching description of the world cup in terms of the American sport language needs a review as how deep the alienation of the sport in the region should be for a president to hype one the grandest Sporting event as a marketing strategy
The decision to host the World Cup at USA had itself come with a lot of controversies surrounding the popularity and accessibility. The bizarre planning and absymal execution of the draw has left fans question the management at the higher level inside FIFA
