It's safe to say: The 2026 FIFA world cup is scripted

[Dr.Bitcoin_Strange]

Honestly, I won't say it's FIFA's fault that such would happen, I really blame FIFA for what is going on, they are the organization of this match and as such should make sure it's done in a free and fair manner as it's been done in other years, where I was not happy about the whole stuff was the denial of visa for some players  because if actually the host country would not allow some players into their country because of their current issues, then what's the essence of letting them host the world Cup? It's a world Cup and not something you bring sentiment into, so I blame FIFA for what ever is happening.

[giammangiato]

No, it is not scripted.

I don't think corruption is involved, it's not something done secretly, let's just say it's borderline unbearable.
That it is in a sense piloted to "give away" intense moments and keep as many players as possible who "advertise" the World Cup and still attract visibility and views could be.
That it's being piloted to favor one team over another I'm not so convinced by this theory, I'm not a conspiracy theorist, although honestly sometimes it seems that conspiracy theorists really get it right.
In any case we can all forget about football in the 80s/90s (especially us older ones), we are on two completely different worlds.

[swogerino]

Scripted or not the fact that Brazil got eliminated in a humiliating game for them as Norway showed super great football and the goals were great too. Now for USA this is a heavy damaging precedent that FIFA is doing although I doubt it will help USA qualify further as now they will face a real team which would 99.99% of the time beat them without problem. If also the referee is bought then we can say that this World Cup is scripted as in normal conditions the USA cannot win that game against Belgium.

[rachael9385]

According to The Economist magazine, there's always a script for everything, even the World Cup. From what I've seen, there are many illegal things. Some say there aren't, but I know it's true: favoritism and things that make you think badly. There are many teams who say it's not like that, but I'm sure that things in football have always been manipulated, and that has already been proven.

Perhaps there should be a body that's responsible for regulating the activities in FIFA so the claim of favoritism or corruption can be avoided because at this point we cannot actually tell if there's any manipulation that goes on, we can all assume that this goes on but there's no one that has a solid proof of it.

[Die_empty]

It's strange to see conspiracy theories making their way into the World Cup too. We already hear enough of that stuff in local leagues all year round. One thing is clear though, USA have done a very poor job hosting this World Cup. It started with the visa problems players had to deal with and now it's carrying over to the decisions being made on the pitch.

Whether Balogun plays the next match or not isn't going to have much of an impact on the tournament. Belgium have every right to complain but they probably weren't going to go in further rounds anyway. It's pretty much clear which teams reach semi finals. These decisions won't change the final outcome.

The painful part of the suspension of the punishment on Blaogun is that FIFA's Disciplinary Committee didint give any reason for this decision. It is all over the internet that Donald Trump spoke to Gianni Infantino, and this might have influenced the committee's decision.

The Royal Belgian Football Federation has said they are astonished at this decision. I think they can do nothing about it since the decision has already been taken. Balogun is a key player of the US team. So having him in the game would be a motivation for the host team.

[stompix]

Man, you relly have to love the low IQ of those tin foil conspiracy theorists!
So, US bad, we all know, FIFA wants US to win, FIFA tries everything to make the bad US bad, they suspend his suspension!

Now, for the ones that are still salvageable from this idiocracy, use your only synapse and ask yourself:

If FIFA wanted them to be in the final or something, why the fuck did he get a red card in the first place after VAR at just 1-0 with 30 minutes to go vs Bosnia?

[KTChampions]

~
If FIFA wanted them to be in the final or something, why the fuck did he get a red card in the first place after VAR at just 1-0 with 30 minutes to go vs Bosnia?

This is a good question, but it seems quite logical that the referee was honest, but then the other people who overturned his decisions were not quite so 
In general, the inconsistency of the decisions is obvious: first, Messi doesn’t even get a yellow card for such a foul, then Balogun gets a red card, then his disqualification is overturned (and by the way, there are questions about the procedure for this decision, as I see in the news).
By the way, Belgium appealed the lifting of the disqualification, we'll see what happens next, although I think Belgium will be ignored (the complaint will be considered after the game).

[KiaKia]

Conspiracy theory can find it's way into anything in this world, if human being are the one in control of that thing then anything is bound to happen, I don't want to believe that no such thing can happen in FIFA World cup, it's not impossible.

I don't trust humans, trusting them is like throwing fire on your own roof while you sleep, it's surely going to burn you to death unless you narrowly escape it, where human goes betray, cheating and every nasty things that humans are capable of will follow.

I don't care if this world cup is scripted or not, I watched what I wanted and so far I enjoyed it, those who are filthy will stay filthy anyways, and those who are righteous or trying to be willing continue their struggle, don't trust humans like yourself, ever.

[knowngunman]

It's strange to see conspiracy theories making their way into the World Cup too. We already hear enough of that stuff in local leagues all year round. One thing is clear though, USA have done a very poor job hosting this World Cup. It started with the visa problems players had to deal with and now it's carrying over to the decisions being made on the pitch.

Whether Balogun plays the next match or not isn't going to have much of an impact on the tournament. Belgium have every right to complain but they probably weren't going to go in further rounds anyway. It's pretty much clear which teams reach semi finals. These decisions won't change the final outcome.

I saw the update first in our local news platform and I assumed it was just a click bait when the headline reads "Trump wants Balogun's red card withdrawn". I never bothered to click for full details until I came here now to realise it was true. I have no issue with their visa restrictions, let them do whatever they like, it's their country but interfering with FIFA and the officiating decision is the problem comes.

One thing I know is that no matter how the US try to influence the tournament, USA can not win it this year. They have a talented squad but they are not at that level yet. The other two co-host nations (Canada and Mexico) already crashed out and time is the only thing keeping USA in the tournament. With or without Balogun, I don't know they can get pass the likes of France, Spain, Argentina, England and Portugal even if they manage to get away with this.

[M47AK16]

According to The Economist magazine, there's always a script for everything, even the World Cup. From what I've seen, there are many illegal things. Some say there aren't, but I know it's true: favoritism and things that make you think badly. There are many teams who say it's not like that, but I'm sure that things in football have always been manipulated, and that has already been proven.

Perhaps there should be a body that's responsible for regulating the activities in FIFA so the claim of favoritism or corruption can be avoided because at this point we cannot actually tell if there's any manipulation that goes on, we can all assume that this goes on but there's no one that has a solid proof of it.

No one having any doubt about FIFA is having a good romance with corruption and favouritism also working for a long time. A few countries had enough influence; they could change decisions and things around with their own power, and it's working for a long time.

FIFA is having good funds from a few countries just because of this, always going beside them, while a few countries that are not good enough economically always suffer. Revising the red card decision is surely showing how things are working and who is doing all around here for their own money. It is now more important than anything just because of this. No one cares about sports spirit and merit rules in these sports organizations.

[X-ray]

I'd rather call it as a corruption instead of scripted. The fact that it's trump who asked FIFA to review Balogun's red card. Fifa already confirmed they did a review to Balogun's red card, and they decide to suspend Balogun's suspension because the foul deserve no red card.

Basically, overtuned the ban after it's being given is allowed in some specific times. However, it's basucally unethical because it gives vibes US is doing intervention to help their players.

[xenomorfo]

At this point, I am going to believe speculations or theories about this 2026 World Cup especially after watching the Paraguay match yesterday.
Many crazy things are happening that we don?t even see or hear about on the surface.
I have a feeling that we are going to see more of these type FIFA rule-bending or eye-turning decisions.

You are certainly right, but this also happened before, only now you realize it.
Unfortunately, when money is involved, this crap happens and we can't do much, given that if we look we do nothing but be complicit in these things.
Boycott the World Cup.

[Judith87403]

No one having any doubt about FIFA is having a good romance with corruption and favouritism also working for a long time. A few countries had enough influence; they could change decisions and things around with their own power, and it's working for a long time.

FIFA is having good funds from a few countries just because of this, always going beside them, while a few countries that are not good enough economically always suffer. Revising the red card decision is surely showing how things are working and who is doing all around here for their own money. It is now more important than anything just because of this. No one cares about sports spirit and merit rules in these sports organizations.

Though, it doesn't seem fair as some coaches or players doesn't have any say, which they do things or act on instructions given to them, as they can't object to it. People should already be expecting this from them, the world is very corrupt that one can hardly see something that is fair and free without any form of deceit or power shown to it. Even though, there is nothing one can do about it, its still important for people to talk about their observations, as its a relieved to those who are suffer for it most.

[davis196]

Fabrizio Romano has even confirmed this to be true? When will Trump stop making everything about himself and give a chance for a fair play? Is there no such thing as a loss for him, that even when they're in a brink of defeat, he rigs the game by convincing the FIFA president to invoke an article that will stand as an excuse for him to cheat? Can other clubs apply to get the same treatment as USA or does it apply to them alone? This is not what we knew the world cup to be; it's not worth the wait, should be organized annually then. Meh.

I find it hard to believe that Trump would pressure FIFA to lift the one match ban for the USA footballer, who got a red card. Trump is not a soccer fan and maybe he doesn't care that much about the US national soccer team. I'm sure that the USA would eventually get eliminated when they face one of the big favorites in this tournament. With or without that particular player, they won't stand a chance against France, Spain or Argentina. The Football federation changing their rules in favor of one team or another is something I've witnessed many times in the past. Football is full of corruption where I live. 

[Mayor of ogba]

There has been a similar foul as that of Folarin Balogon at the early stage of the 2026 World Cup, and the players involved weren't given a red card so why would Folarin Balogon's case be different? If president Donald J. Trump influence FIFA for Folarin Balogon to feature for the United States against Belgium in the World Cup round of 16, I don't see anything wrong in that because he only stood against the injustice against Folarin Balogon. Had Mazraoui, Messi, and one other player I can't remember his name were shown a red card for a similar foul as that of Folarin Balogon, there's no way the United States would have pushed for Folarin Balogon to feature against Belgium, so FIFA should take the full blame for this.

[hyudien]

Haha, it's so funny, the injustice in this year's World Cup is clearly visible, perhaps because Trump is in power, and we know how he behaves. I read that Trump played a big role behind FIFA decision to cancel the sanctions for Folarin Balogun. Consider it an April Fool Day prank.
The decision has been made, and Folarin Balogun will likely still play against Belgium. Hopefully, America loses.

[stadus]

If this is scripted, then how much more in leagues where only one country is involved?

So although there is a point in the speculation, I do not really believe that it is scripted or rigged. Maybe our expectations just did not happen, but that is the game. Sometimes it can look biased, but not totally scripted. Anyway, these are just my own thoughts. We can believe what we want though.

[Dunamisx]

I am most curious about why many news channels are not picking up event like this that happened through the media, are there afraid or words, many have also been complaining about related hidden agendas that could lead to all the manipulations that seems to be ongoing and the ones to happen, but I do say it that as long as you don't have an evidence everything is just speculations.

[Felicity_Tide]

Are we still bothering about the ongoing show in the world cup?, common, it's obvious that FIFA has decided to ruin the tournament, so let's leave things they way it is. I don't know what the Article 27 says, but after watching the foul committed by Balogun, I honestly don't think such offense is something that should be waved. Well, it's obvious that FIFA are letting us know that the rules they create aren't as strict as we all think. Imo, nothing here is being scripted. They're literally making bold decisions while letting us know that we certainly can't do anything about it.

Well, my only concern is that we don't see same political moves in UEFA.
They're literally my last hope as far as football is concerned_{(can't even count on the premier league)}. I hope UEFA doesn't stoop so low, and ruin what they've built over the years. As for FIFA, well, they're free to do whatever they like.

I am most curious about why many news channels are not picking up event like this that happened through the media, are there afraid or words, many have also been complaining about related hidden agendas that could lead to all the manipulations that seems to be ongoing and the ones to happen, but I do say it that as long as you don't have an evidence everything is just speculations.

They all know their boundaries... But it's good that viewers(fans) can actually see what's going on for themselves.

[Mhizlove]

At this point, I am going to believe speculations or theories about this 2026 World Cup especially after watching the Paraguay match yesterday.
Many crazy things are happening that we don’t even see or hear about on the surface.
I have a feeling that we are going to see more of these type FIFA rule-bending or eye-turning decisions.

I get it why some questionable decisions can make people suspect, but I think it will be better if we judged each evidence based on incidents rather than jumping immediately to conspiracy theories. You see football don't always gets questionable calls, and again most times poor officiating can seems like something is bigger than what is really happening. So for me I will say that if FIFA wants fans to trust the games, consistent and transparent application of rules will really help in reducing all this arguments and speculations.