The World Cup is called the highest football festival. But the 2026 season has once again reminded us that this stage is not the only place where stories of goals, trophies and celebrations are written. Also written is the history of wars, politics, discrimination and the invisible wounds of people.
The struggle of football players on the green path is visible. Behind this, in silence, there is a deeper struggle for power, justice and human dignity. As a result, this year the World Cup, along with football, has become a topic of discussion and geopolitics.
The clearest reflection of this reality can be seen in Iran’s actions. Due to U.S. visa restrictions, the team must travel back and forth between Mexico for training and the U.S. for matches. At the same time, the horrors of war in their own country haunt them again.
The entire World Cup campaign was a harrowing experience, the players said. Iran’s departure was therefore seen by many as more than just a team defeat that mixed football with the harsh realities of global politics.
On the other hand, the World Cup campaign in Egypt became a symbol of hope, courage and resistance for millions. The Arab world, Africa and the dreams of countless people in war-torn Gaza seemed to be intertwined in every team match. The coach expressed solidarity with the Palestinian flag, and displaced families were given the opportunity to watch the game on a big screen. But an aid worker associated with the initiative was killed hours before the match against Argentina. As a result, the sound of the flute in the field was not separated from the battle cry.
After the scandalous defeat by Argentina, there was outrage all over the world. The Egyptian Football Federation questioned several refereeing decisions. Conspiracy theories are spreading like wildfire on social media. Cyber attacks on the Argentine Football Association and the spread of fake news have fueled the debate. The outcome of the match instantly becomes a global debate about fairness, transparency and authenticity.
The influence of power behind the scenes has also been noticed. A phone call from the powers that be who control this rule became the “new rule.” US striker Forlan Balogan, who received a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, was expected to be suspended for the next match against Belgium. But a phone call from US President Donald Trump changed all the rules. His sentence was immediately suspended. Unable to find a way out, Belgium had to respond with play on the field.
This World Cup has once again shown that football is never a separate chapter from the real world. The division in society, the conflict in the state, the anger or deprivation that accumulates in the minds of people, the echo of this one day reaches the gallery of the stadium. Thus, a controversial whistle or decision often not only changes the course of the match, but also awakens long-buried mistrust, pain and anger.
Finally, the 2026 World Cup showed that the boundaries of football are not limited to the four walls of the stadium. Beyond the cheers for goals, victories and trophies, the event became a broad picture of war, humanity, politics and human emotions. So this World Cup will be remembered not only in the history of sports, but also as a living document of the troubled times of the world.