2026 FIFA World Cup Gone... What's Next?

MORE THAN A WEEK has passed since the final whistle blew for the final match of the Soccer World Cup 2026 between new champions Spain with runners up and now ex-World champions Argentina at the MetLife Stadium, New Jersey in New York.

Before the ball was even kicked in this year's event, which by far is the greatest show on earth ever, with 104 games played by 48 nations in three different countries Mexico, United States of America, Canada and in 16 cities, 'whispers in the deep' confronted this tournament with global tensions of a political nature.

That, one of the three host nations, the US, together with Israel had been involved in conflicts against Iran, it was clear that the expanded tournament was destined for some political energy overshadowing it.

South Africa also had not-so-nice relations with the Trump administration going into this year's global football spectacle.

One wonders if Bafana Bafana's Visa debacle before the South Africa's departure for the World Cup had nothing to do with the poor relationship between the two countries.

Much else had happened in America at least regarding restrictions on who can enter the US or not before the World Cup, according to various reports.

Reports are still going viral as to football fanatics, Fans, and football officials who couldn't enter the USA for one reason or another.

Irrespective of the popular views, the Beautiful Game of Football can not and must never be used by any force for political or any other ends.

The issue of football regulation and oversight has never been so relevant and necessary to tackle any skeletons which seek to overshadow the beautiful game.

And what about the controversial refereeing decisions including an alleged suspended red card, after political interference by the US President.

Football is the biggest sport in the world with a massive following.

For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, more than 6 billion people engaged with the tournament across the globe.

A tournament of this magnitude has the capacity to unite and transform the world.

The World Cup can inspire a new people's led global humanitarian order.

A long challenge facing the growth of football has always been the tiny elite controlling the game.

Without getting carried away with the shenanigans of FIFA, world football governing body, the focus of the global everyday people should be to gain a foothold into FIFA.

This strategy can be applied with national associations first, before engaging continental bodies like the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The hidden struggles of the hidden football groups trying to gain recognition in their various countries need to be unpacked and promoted.

For the longest time, the politically connected have had far to much control at the expense of everybody else in the game of football.

Much to the dismay of football lovers. The tensions run deep, perhaps this explains why the culture of hooligans as been associated with the Beautiful Game in various parts of the world.

A global Fanbase that is excluded and at the messy of disengaged football leadership.

Fan engagement, participation and involvement in football is fragile or none existed depending on the area, however, the majority of Fans are still left behind or excluded in major football action, be it prize competitions and football development related activities.

FIFA needs to be honest and visible in the transformation of national associations and football related matters.

So far, FIFA is mostly active during the FIFA World Cup year.

After the tournament it appears that FIFA goes into hiding.

Even FIFA's other tournaments, including those for Junior national teams and schools football turn to be afterthoughts or just mere formalities.

The increasing civil society groups who are taking FIFA to court for various charges stand to be supported by football lovers all over the world.

FIFA needs to clean its ways fast before a football rebellion arises, just before this year's World Cup voices emerged questioning if Africa should boycott the World Cup 26.

Imagine if other Confederations start asking the same question and even act on it.

What is clear is that a new inclusive model is needed.

National football associations must be at the centre of accommodating football lovers in their countries into football structures.

With local clubs playing their role in the mobilisation of Fans into football activities.

This move, could also address the 'empty stadium during matches' pandemic.

For what its worth, The Struggle of making football a game for all continues.

FIFA is not above the law, even ex-FIFA senior executives who were once powerful are today either out of football and/or fighting to stay out of jail.

And what about the controversial refereeing decisions including an alleged suspended red card, after political interference by the US President.

Football belongs to all the people, the world over, and not only to a politically connected elite.

Thandisizwe Mgudlwa is a veteran journalist