CounterPunch Exclusives

CounterPunch Exclusives

World Cup in the Age of Inequality

Image by Johannes Hübner.

The FIFA World Cup is one of the few global events whose legitimacy does not derive from the power, wealth, or political influence of its participants, but from the principle of “competitive equality.” Millions around the world follow this tournament because they believe that, at least for ninety minutes on the pitch, differences between nations are not determined by economic size, military capability, or geopolitical weight, but by performance on the football field. It is precisely this perception of equality that has turned the World Cup into the world’s most significant sporting event. Yet, on the eve of the 2026 World Cup, a critical question is emerging for global football: if all teams do not enter the pitch under equal conditions, can the competition still be considered fair?

What is being discussed these days regarding potential restrictions on certain teams in the World Cup may, at first glance, appear to be merely a political or administrative dispute. However, at a deeper level, the issue touches one of the most fundamental principles of global sports governance. The core issue is not that one country has political disagreements with another or that certain players face more restrictive entry or residency conditions. Rather, it is that for the first time, signs are emerging of a new emerging precedent—one in which the host country can, without altering the formal rules of competition, asymmetrically shape the competitive environment for different teams.

In political science and public law, the legitimacy of any competition is grounded in “procedural justice.” People generally accept outcomes only when they are confident that the process has been equal for all participants. This principle applies to elections, courts, tenders, and even sporting competitions. If participants believe that some competitors enjoy advantages to which others do not have........

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