‘World Cup has lost its credibility’: Sepp Blatter says politics overshadowed football after ‘champions of the right’ triumph in Spain

L-R: FIFA President Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump present the trophy to Spain’s Rodrigo; and Sepp Blatter. Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter launched a scathing attack on soccer’s governing body after the 2026 World Cup, saying the tournament had “lost its credibility” and calling on fans, players and national associations to reclaim the sport from political influence.Blatter’s strongly worded message came just two days after Spain beat defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time to lift their second World Cup title, ending the first ever 48-team World Cup. Although the 90-year-old Swiss recognized Spain as deserving champions, he did not hold back in assessing the wider legacy of the tournament.In an interview with X, Blatter wrote: “The longest World Cup has ended – with the right champions. But on the way to the final whistle, the tournament has lost its credibility. Politics must not overshadow the game.”He ended with an even stronger appeal aimed at football stakeholders.“It is now up to the fans, players and national associations to reclaim football and bring it back to its roots under new management,” he added.The post also tagged FIFA, the World Cup, the controversial FIFA half-time show, Donald Trump and current FIFA president Gianni Infantino, highlighting who Blatter believes should be at the center of the debate.

Politics and controversy dominate tournament discussions

Blatter has been one of the most vocal critics of FIFA’s direction under Infantino, and his latest remarks reflect growing scrutiny over the intersection of football and politics during the expanded tournament.Co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the 2026 edition was the largest in World Cup history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 venues over more than a month.Although the football itself received widespread praise, several off-field controversies dominated the headlines during the tournament.Political tensions surrounding Iran’s participation, visa disputes, travel restrictions affecting supporters from several countries, debate over immigration policy, concerns over extreme summer heat and criticism of FIFA’s growing commercialism all fueled debate during the competition.The relationship between US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino has also come under intense scrutiny, particularly after Balogun’s ban was overturned ahead of the US Round of 16 clash.

Infantino celebrates success despite criticism

Despite the criticism, FIFA called the tournament one of the most successful in history.Infantino claimed record attendance figures of nearly seven million viewers, with an estimated audience of more than six billion watching the tournament worldwide.Television audiences also remained strong. Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo reported that the Spain-Argentina final drew a preliminary audience of 22.6 million viewers, making it the most-watched World Cup final in Spanish-language television history.Attendance in the United States, Canada and Mexico also beat expectations despite concerns about ticket prices and logistics.On the field, the expanded 48-team format has largely silenced fears that the competition would be diluted. Surprise packages such as Cape Verde and Congo enjoyed forgettable campaigns before the tournament eventually produced a heavyweight semi-final with Spain, Argentina, France and England.