When FIFA confirmed that the World Cup in 2026 will be organized by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico, including the news that the quota has been expanded to 48 participating countries, as expected, there was a sea of ​​criticism at the expense of many others for the stage. Among the objections, that of the former president of FIFA, the Swiss Joseph Blatter, who managed that body in the darkest era of world sports, stood out. He was consulted by the German weekly Die Zert: what criteria do you have about the 48-team format for the 2026 World Cup?, he was asked.

Blatter described the increase as “the over-commercialisation of football, because they are trying to squeeze more and more out of the lemon”. He concluded the interview by admitting that he had tried to control the football business, but that great commercial and political influence had prevented him from doing so. I would add that the mafia structure that was created around it got out of control, which bled football and destroyed its image. So Gianni Infantino appeared on stage and offered honesty and transparency. It was only with that speech that he came to FIFA’s throne, before the discredited Blatter.

Then the new FIFA president Infantino explained the idea of ​​spreading football around the world and thus giving more countries the opportunity to attend the big party of the World Cup, which is held every four years. Infantino stated that his desire is inclusive, as this will allow football to continue to spread across the planet. It is possible that there is a truth in this concept that is difficult to question, because it was indeed accepted and applauded at the last FIFA congress, deliberately held in Rwanda, an African country, where it was confirmed that 48 teams will participate in the World Cup in Mexico. USA and Canada in 2026. The distribution of quotas that each continent will have, the number of matches that will be played, and the 40 days that the tournament will last have been determined. The changes had no opponents within the assembly, for logical reasons.

All the associations are rubbing their hands and opening their pockets, because they know that the more money that goes into FIFA, the more funds will reach their coffers. It will also offer them more opportunities to rank, as can be seen. Africa is the continent that will get the most places: there will be four fixed, with one more if they win the intercontinental playoff. Asia gains four additional seats; Europe gets three more; Oceania, fixed position; and South America win fixed quotas, and one more if they win the repechage.

As you can see, the countries of Concacaf, this confederation that already has three organizers, but three more nations that will attend the World Cup, benefit greatly. This generous offer led to Infantino being re-elected by acclamation in what they described as a “historic congress”. This shows that his political strategy served him to fulfill the goals of not having an opponent and to satisfy all those present at the 73rd FIFA Congress.

Many of us wonder why the congress was held in Kigali (Rwanda). There are two convincing reasons: one, because Africa offered 54 votes for re-election; and two, because the Qataris continue to show that they have conquered the world of football. It is no coincidence that Emir Tamim bin Hamad al Zani is close friends with Rwandan President Paul Kagame; that the owners of PSG – the Qatari monarchy – are building the Kigali airport; or that the Qataris bought Rwanda AIR, confirming that geopolitical petrodollars are the power behind the soccer throne.

But, in addition, the euphoria of the World Cup, which will begin with the qualifications, will also represent Infantino’s melting of the coffers by selling audiovisual rights. FIFA estimates that its revenues will increase by 20%, and it can be concluded that the two purposes that Infantino managed are being fulfilled. The politician exceeded expectations, because we all know that he came to the throne of FIFA by historical coincidence, without much acceptance of all that FIFAGate means. He offered honesty and won the votes and alliances necessary to keep his position; This is the only way he can justify the reforms, in order to be re-elected unanimously and with applause for his administration. Congress participants say that when he reported on FIFA’s revenue last period of $7.5 billion, everyone in attendance warmed their hands and stood up until Infantino signaled for them to calm down and continue. his speech.

Infantino’s second card was to show the World Association of Club Leagues that they are not the ones running the football industry. That’s why they approved the 48-team World Cup format and the dates of the qualifiers and tournaments so they wouldn’t dare interfere with the clubs, even if the internationals end up being blown away. an impressive number of matches played in one year.

Another argument Infantino tackled was the proposal not to just compete with more teams or to promote football in non-traditional countries by putting more money into his Forward program. What Infantino is trying to do, deep down, is to replace revenues reduced by Russia’s exclusion from the 2022 World Cup; the non-arrival of traditional teams, such as Italy, as well as Sweden, Turkey, Australia and Scotland; and in addition to that a tourist from the Old Continent who was absent in Qatar 2022 will attend because he played in a time contrary to the custom of Europeans who are on vacation at that time.

Now Infantino has set his sights on what amounts to juicy revenue from two markets commonly referred to as ‘developing’, such as India and China, with millions of fans who would also guarantee millions of dollars to FIFA’s coffers. In short, under the criterion that more poor nations participate and feel the emotion of the World Cup experience, the selectivity and quality of football, which should be the main goal of the tournament, has been left aside.

Because of the number, we all know that there will be unimportant matches, because of the competitive level of the participants. Undoubtedly, the level of competition will suffer. The Spanish newspaper Marca describes FIFA’s decision as “soccer nonsense”. Almost all countries will go from South America; from Concacaf, same. What will be the meaning of the qualifying stages? The level of competition will drop significantly, and the initial phase of the World Cup will bring football into disrepute. But Infantina doesn’t care.

Discussion is started. If the best have to go to the World Cup, the 48-team figure will take away that spirit. The competitiveness and quality of the qualifiers, if 30% of the Conmebol team leaves, it will equalize everything, said Peruvian World Cup player Oswaldo Cachito Ramírez. But for Gianni Infantino, it is more important that football reaches countries that have never had the opportunity to play in the World Cup with a lot of passion. And of course, without saying it, he assures with facts that Don Dinero is privileged and honored in football today, a formula that brings a smile to most people’s faces. (OR)