The 2026 World Cup has been full of on-field thrills, with last-minute winners and penalty shootouts throughout the round of 32 and round of 16.
But off the field, it has been nothing short of an embarrassment for FIFA who have seen controversy after controversy arise.
Not least the decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s one-match suspension following a red card against Belgium.
That decision seemed to stem from Donald Trump calling FIFA president Gianni Infantino to question the red card itself.
A claim that was backed up by the President of the USA himself who told the world as much during a press conference.
Australian football legend Robbie Slater has not held back as he took aim at football’s governing body over their running of the World Cup.
Robbie Slater has described the off-field issues around the World Cup ‘farcical’ as FIFA has wrapped themselves up in a number of controversies
Gianni Infantino has struggled to quieten the noise around the decision to allow Folarin Balogun play against the Belgium
He has not been helped by American President Donald Trump claiming he made calls to the FIFA chief to discuss Balogun’s suspension
‘What we didn’t expect was a FIFA disaster off the pitch.
‘Like how USA striker Folarin Balogun had his red card suspension put on hold for 12 months allowing him to play in the knockout game against Belgium.
‘It is just bizarre for FIFA to say there was precedent for that decision – I don’t think anyone bought that.
‘It literally seems as though USA President Donald Trump picked up the phone and called FIFA President Gianni Infantino and said “this guy has to play” and FIFA said “sure, anything for you Mr President”.’
‘We will never really know what happened.’
The decision by FIFA has certainly put every team on high-alert, looking to appeal almost every decision that goes against them.
Just see France’s attempt to overturn Michael Olise’s yellow card, should the star receive another yellow in their quarter-final tie, he would be ruled out of their semi-final.
Of course, as one would expect, FIFA turned down that appeal and decided that the yellow would stand and Olise now has a tightrope to walk.
And Slater also took a look at Egypt’s heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Argentina, when it looked for all the world they had booked their place in the quarter-finals when they took a 2-0 lead.
Balgoun saw his one-match suspension, suspended after his red card against Bosnia
‘A baffling VAR decision soured the result and Egypt’s coach has come out saying he feels “cheated”.
“If they want Argentina to win so bad, why call everyone to come and participate?”
‘You can feel the emotion and the Egyptian’s frustrations. And it was farcical that their goal was disallowed after VAR went 100m back to find a foul.
‘It would have been one of Egypt’s greatest ever goals had it been allowed to stand – it went the whole pitch.
‘That is what happens now with VAR – when you slow everything down to a certain point – yes you can see he has a fistful of shirt – but it happens in lots of challenges.
‘There is no way you can call every one of them – there would be very little football played.
‘The way the coach has come out swinging though is brilliant theatre.’
Hossam Hassan has also bemoaned the refreeing in Egypt’s heartbreaking loss to Argentina
There have been a not insignificant number of fans who have questioned Argentina’s place in the World Cup was predetermined at this World Cup.
And the decision to have an all-Argentina refereeing line-up for France vs Morocco will do little to quieten the noise.
Something that Slater also touched on, ‘France have been billed as the tournament favourites – second only to Argentina.
‘I think this is just straight up dumb. How did this even get approved? How did no one in the room question this decision or put their hand up and say “hey I don’t think this is a great idea”.
‘It is simply farcical. And it is going to put a lot of pressure on the referees.’
That seems to be the crux of the issue here, FIFA as an organisation has been completely incapable of avoiding controversy and seem to insist on compounding their issues when they arise.
