France's Kylian Mbappe and Bradley Barcola in action in the Round of 32 match against Sweden | Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta

Global mega sports events are rarely without controversy and the ongoing FIFA World Cup is no exception. It perhaps all started with the FIFA conferring a ‘Peace Prize’ to US President Donald Trump. Then it was the denial of entry into the US to a respected Somalian referee Omar Artan at the Miami International Airport. Then it was the logistical and visa nightmares that the Iranian team was put through, resulting in the Iranian coach calling his team the “most oppressed” in the tournament. Their bad luck followed them on the pitch, where their goal in the dying minutes against Egypt was disallowed for a marginal offside, the goal which could have put them through to the knock-out stages for the first time.

But FIFA World Cups have a hoary history of controversies. The 1978 World Cup held in Argentina, then being ruled by a brutal military junta, led to a lot of moral hand wringing in Western Europe. The Qatar World Cup was beset with controversies over its treatment of workers used in the construction of stadiums.

But once the action begins on the field, the off-field controversies fade into the background and it wasn’t different this time around. The real story so far was spirited performance of small nations like Cape Verde and DR Congo. In fact nine out of the 10 participating African teams have made it to the knock-out round of 32, clear proof of their growing footballing heft.

Some of the big European nations — Germany and the Netherlands — have exited and the round of 32 is still in progress. Brazil the perennial sentimental favourite has progressed to the round of 16 without really impressing, defeating a strong Japan with a last gasp goal.

France and Argentina look impressive and European champions Spain remain favourites. Most talk has focussed on Messi and Mbappe, but one player who has made football pundits turn their heads is France’s Michael Olise. The next 17 days are going to a treat for the football diehards.

Published on July 1, 2026