Guardian columnist Jonathan Wilson reflects on the 2026 World Cup, judging it "good rather than great" on the pitch but marred by controversy off it. He argues the tournament's off-field compromises, particularly what he calls the "Balogun Affair", set troubling precedents by prioritising commercial interests and political pressure over sporting integrity, echoing similar special treatment previously afforded to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi under Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

The piece cites several sources of controversy: the treatment of Iran during the tournament, high ticket prices that excluded ordinary fans, and social costs in host nations, including reports of homeless people being displaced in the US and Canada and environmental concerns over water use in Mexico. It also references an incident in which Italian newspaper la Gazzetta dello Sport had its final-ticket allocation cut after publishing critical coverage, and notes growing criticism of Infantino from British and American politicians, with a possible expansion to 64 teams floated as a response.