What the World Cup Tells Us About the State of the World

What the World Cup Tells Us About the State of the World

8 July 2026

Today is the first—and one of the very few—rest days of the World Cup. Tomorrow the quarter-finals begin. It is a welcome opportunity to catch our breath and reflect.

This tournament consists of 104 matches involving 48 nations. Remarkably, none of the three host countries has reached the quarter-finals. Four years ago, only 32 teams competed. At the time, FIFA faced considerable criticism for expanding the tournament. Many argued that allowing more, and especially smaller, football nations to participate would lower the overall standard.

The opposite seems to have happened. The performances of smaller nations, including island states, have shown that the gap between football's traditional powers and emerging countries has become much smaller. Debutants such as Curaçao's Blue Wave captured the imagination of fans around the world, while Cape Verde proved that new football nations can compete with the very best. Meanwhile, traditional giants such as Brazil, Germany and the Netherlands suffered surprisingly early and disappointing exits.

Off the pitch, the World Cup reflects the world we live in today. Hardly a day passes without allegations of manipulation, corruption or favoritism. A controversial red card was overturned, persistent claims continue that Argentina enjoys special treatment from FIFA, and conspiracy theories seem to flourish. Whether these claims are true or not is almost beside the point. What matters is that public trust in institutions continues to erode.

Football has also become deeply intertwined with geopolitics. The treatment of Iran's national team by the United States—granting the squad only a limited stay in the country and requiring them to be based largely in Mexico—demonstrated once again that international political tensions do not stop at the stadium gates. Sport and politics have become increasingly inseparable.

On the field, the rise of new football regions is impossible to ignore. African, Arab and Asian nations continue to close the gap with the traditional football powers. Japan has firmly established itself among the world's elite, while Morocco has evolved from Africa's champion into one of the strongest contenders for the World Cup title.

At the same time, the tournament remains a global celebration. Curaçao's Blue Wave and the Dutch Orange Legion have created unforgettable atmospheres and demonstrated football's unique ability to unite people. Yet darker realities have also resurfaced. Racism and discrimination appear more visible than at previous tournaments. Equally striking is the near disappearance of the rainbow symbolism that featured so prominently during recent World Cups.

Supporters have also struggled with soaring ticket prices, confusion surrounding ticket sales, and logistical challenges that have sometimes overshadowed the experience.

Morocco now stands as one of the favorites to lift the trophy. At the same time, the way some of its victories have been celebrated in the Netherlands has sparked debate about identity, integration and social cohesion. These are complex issues that deserve thoughtful discussion rather than simplistic conclusions.

Tomorrow the football resumes. One thing is certain: this World Cup will continue to surprise us—not only through its matches and results, but through what it reveals about the state of our world.

What has stood out most to you during this World Cup?

Miguel Goede