Former Socceroos player Robbie Slater has labeled the 2026 World Cup a "farcical disaster" due to a string of off-field controversies that have plagued the tournament. Slater expressed strong criticism of FIFA's governance, citing several incidents that he believes have embarrassed the sport's governing body.
One of the most contentious issues highlighted by Slater is the suspension of USA striker Folarin Balogun's one-match ban following a red card against Belgium. Slater suggested that the decision to allow Balogun to play in the knockout game seemed influenced by external pressure, specifically mentioning a call from then-U.S. President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. "It literally seems as though USA President Donald Trump picked up the phone and called FIFA President Gianni Infantino and said ‘this guy has to play’ and FIFA said ‘sure, anything for you Mr President’," Slater stated, adding, "We will never really know what happened."
This perceived intervention has, according to Slater, put other teams on high alert, leading to increased attempts to appeal decisions. He pointed to France's unsuccessful attempt to overturn a yellow card for Michael Olise, which could rule him out of a potential semi-final. FIFA reportedly denied this appeal, stating the yellow card would stand.
Slater also addressed a controversial VAR decision that soured Egypt's 3-2 loss to Argentina. He described the decision to disallow what would have been a spectacular Egyptian goal after a lengthy VAR review as "baffling" and suggested it made the result feel unfair. "If they want Argentina to win so bad, why call everyone to come and participate?" Slater quoted Egypt's coach as saying, who felt "cheated." Slater elaborated on the VAR issue, noting that slowing down replays can highlight minor infractions, like a "fistful of shirt," that occur in many challenges and are often not penalized.
Further adding to the controversy, Slater criticized the decision to assign an all-Argentine refereeing team for the France vs. Morocco match. He called this decision "dumb" and questioned how it was approved, suggesting it would create undue pressure on the officials. "It is simply farcical. And it is going to put a lot of pressure on the referees," Slater commented.
Slater's remarks underscore a growing sentiment that FIFA has struggled to manage the tournament effectively, with controversies compounding each other. The off-field issues have overshadowed the on-field excitement of the World Cup, which has featured dramatic matches and close finishes throughout the knockout stages.