Jul 13, 2026 · 1 hr · 17 segments
After 100 matches, Brenda, Jessica, and Shireen take stock of the 2026 Men’s World Cup, from the most corrupt moments (so far) to the most interesting storylines. We discuss how this Cup will be…
Shireen AhmedHost
Jessica LutherHost
Brenda ElseyHost
At a summary of what all has been going on, not all, some of what has been going on, while the most obvious corruption of this World Cup so far was FIFA suspending USA player Flo Balogun's red card from the round of 32 so he could play against Belgium in the round of 16 after Trump literally called Infantino and asked him to review the red card, there's plenty more corruption to highlight from this edition of the tournament.
There was a Somali referee, Omar Abdul Qadir Artan, who was denied entry into the U.S. because of the Trump administration's racism.
One of the top referees in Africa, Artan, had the correct visa, as well as all the documentation he needed from FIFA.
Still, he was subjected to an 11-hour interrogation, detained a few more hours after that, and ultimately put on a flight to Istanbul.
FIFA did not stand up for Artan, and he did not get to fulfill his dream of refereeing in the World Cup.
Compare this to Sean Evans, an Australian video assistant referee who smiled as he flashed the OK sign upside down with his hand when they showed the VAR refs before the Germany-Curaçao game.
That symbol has been associated with the far right and white supremacists for years now.
Then there's all the other racism, especially against black and brown footballing countries and their fans.
Cape Verde's goalkeeper, star of the World Cup, Vazinha, couldn't afford the $15,000 visa fee for his mother to enter the U.S.
But then when he became a fan favorite after his remarkable showing against Spain, the U.S. State Department intervened, waived the fee, flew his mother in...
Senegal's Captain Koulibaly rightfully pointed out, quote, some supporters couldn't fly to America.
Iran, Haiti and the Ivory Coast were also targeted by the Trump administration's racist travel bans.
D.R. Congo's famous fan, Michel Kuka Mubaladinga, known by the nickname Lumumba Veya or Lumumba Lives.
At a summary of what all has been going on, not all, some of what has been going on, while the most obvious corruption of this World Cup so far was FIFA suspending USA player Flo Balogun's red card from the round of 32 so he could play against Belgium in the round of 16 after Trump literally called Infantino and asked him to review the red card, there's plenty more corruption to highlight from this edition of the tournament.
There was a Somali referee, Omar Abdul Qadir Artan, who was denied entry into the U.S. because of the Trump administration's racism.
One of the top referees in Africa, Artan, had the correct visa, as well as all the documentation he needed from FIFA.
Still, he was subjected to an 11-hour interrogation, detained a few more hours after that, and ultimately put on a flight to Istanbul.
FIFA did not stand up for Artan, and he did not get to fulfill his dream of refereeing in the World Cup.
Compare this to Sean Evans, an Australian video assistant referee who smiled as he flashed the OK sign upside down with his hand when they showed the VAR refs before the Germany-Curaçao game.
That symbol has been associated with the far right and white supremacists for years now.
Then there's all the other racism, especially against black and brown footballing countries and their fans.
Cape Verde's goalkeeper, star of the World Cup, Vazinha, couldn't afford the $15,000 visa fee for his mother to enter the U.S.
But then when he became a fan favorite after his remarkable showing against Spain, the U.S. State Department intervened, waived the fee, flew his mother in...
Senegal's Captain Koulibaly rightfully pointed out, quote, some supporters couldn't fly to America.
Iran, Haiti and the Ivory Coast were also targeted by the Trump administration's racist travel bans.
D.R. Congo's famous fan, Michel Kuka Mubaladinga, known by the nickname Lumumba Veya or Lumumba Lives.
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