A couple of months ago, a showdown between Oleksandr Usyk and Deontay Wilder seemed imminent. However, Usyk has since moved on from those plans, and his team has now revealed why the fight was abandoned.
Speaking to Casinostugan, Usyk’s manager Sergey Lapin confirmed that plans were in place for his fighter to compete in the United States for the first time since his heavyweight debut, but that ‘longer than expected’ negotiations was the reason Wilder turned his attention to Chisora.
“The negotiations for ‘Wilder vs Usyk’ took too long – they chose Chisora instead. We did discuss the possibility of a fight with Wilder, and initially the plan was that the fight could take place in the United States.
“However, the negotiations took longer than expected, and Wilder eventually reached an agreement to fight Chisora. This sometimes happens in boxing — while negotiations are ongoing, different opportunities appear.”
England’s Ollie Pope bats on day two of the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. (AP)
England batter Ollie Pope has responded to criticism following his side’s Ashes defeat in Australia, saying the perception that the team “weren’t fussed” is not accurate, while accepting why that view took hold among fans and experts.England, led by Ben Stokes, lost the 2025/26 Ashes series 4-1 to Australia cricket team. The tour is still under review by the England and Wales Cricket Board.Apart from results on the field, the tour also drew attention due to reports around team culture. During a break in Noosa, there were claims of players drinking heavily. There were also reports that vice-captain Harry Brook had an altercation with a nightclub bouncer during a pre-series visit to New Zealand.
Watch
Jay Shah calls 2019 to 2026 as Indian cricket’s golden period
Pope said the team remained focused on winning the Ashes and pointed to the first Test in Perth as a key moment.“Going into that series, there was a lot spoken about the preparation of it,” Pope told reporters. “As a team, the misconception might be that we weren’t as fussed as it came across.”Speaking at Surrey’s media day, the 28-year-old said the outcome of the opening Test shaped the narrative.“The tough thing for everyone in that first game (Test) was the nature of it. Had we won that, and we’d done slightly better on day two, the idea is different.“Of course we want to be a well-liked team, on and off the pitch, and unfortunately our performance didn’t allow that to happen in Australia.”“I can understand why people felt that way, but at the same time the perception that we weren’t fussed was probably the hard thing. All we wanted to do was go and win the Ashes…All anyone wanted to do was to win,” Pope said.“And for us at times it was just trying to, in our minds, take the pressure off the actual Test match.”Even before the series began, questions were raised about England’s preparation in Australian conditions. Their build-up included a three-day match against England Lions at Lilac Hill in Perth.“As we’ve done over the previous years, we tried to treat it like a normal series to get the best out of ourselves,” Pope said. “Unfortunately, it didn’t quite go to plan.”He added: “I know what I need to be as ready as I can be. From a personal point, I felt as ready as I could have been for that first Test.”Pope was dropped after the third Test, having averaged 20.83 across the first three matches. Jacob Bethell replaced him and scored a century in the fifth Test in Sydney.Despite the setback, Pope said he is focused on returning to the side.“I still feel like my best batting years are to come.”He was speaking after the ECB reversed a plan to restrict Ashes players from speaking to the media ahead of the county season while the review of the tour continues.
A touch of gold is hitting the United States baseball team for the World Baseball Classic (WBC).
As Team USA arrives at loanDepot Park later in Miami, the team will be decked out in game-worn USA Olympic hockey sweaters.
Team USA outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong connected with Olympic hero Jack Hughes, who scored the goal to give the United States its first gold men’s hockey medal since the “Miracle on Ice” team in 1980. Hughes then reached out to his contacts at Fanatics Authentic, the company’s memorabilia division and partner of both athletes, who hand-delivered the jerseys to the team hotel in Miami in time for tonight’s game.
Roman Anthony of Team United States celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run against Team Dominican Republic during the fourth inning at loanDepot park on March 15, 2026, in Miami, Florida.(Gene Wang – Capture At Media/Getty Images)
In total, 36 jerseys, covering players, managers and staff, were sent because the team wanted everyone wearing them.
After being worn in the Olympics and now by Team USA at the WBC, fans and collectors will have a chance to own a piece of one of the most unique crossovers in American sports history when they are auctioned off this summer at the third annual Fanatics Fest in New York, as well as select jerseys featured in Fanatics Under Wraps NHL product launching in May, which offers fans a wide array of licensed sports memorabilia in a mystery format.
The hockey team won gold against Canada to get some long-sought revenge. It was the eighth time the U.S. and Canada played for Olympic gold, and the only time the Americans had won prior to last month was 1960. Canada had given the United States gut punches in recent memory, including the 2002 gold medal game in Salt Lake City, Sidney Crosby’s golden goal in 2010, a semifinal knockout in 2014, and the 4 Nations final in 2025.
Advertisement
United States’ Jack Hughes (86) poses with teammates after a men’s ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
But this year, the U.S. has dominated Canada in plenty of facets. Not only did the men’s hockey team win gold over Canada, but so did the women’s team as well as the men’s Paralympic team. The baseball team also defeated Canada in the WBC quarterfinals last week.
Team USA will face Venezuela on FOX at 8 p.m. ET for the title. It is the third consecutive championship appearance for the U.S., which won in 2017 but lost to Japan six years later. This year marks Venezuela’s first trip to the championship, beating reigning champion Japan in the quarterfinal and then Italy in Monday’s semifinal.
Gunnar Henderson of Team United States celebrates with Aaron Judge after hitting a solo home run against Team Dominican Republic during the fourth inning at loanDepot park on March 15, 2026, in Miami, Florida.(Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean will get the start for the Americans, while Eduardo Rodriguez of the Arizona Diamondbacks will toe the rubber for Venezuela.
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 10: A general view of Stadium 1 at sunset as Jannik Sinner of Italy plays against Joao Fonseca of Brazil in their fourth round match of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 10, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Former American tennis player Sam Querrey has raised concerns about the prize money awarded at the Indian Wells Open, arguing that the tournament champions should earn significantly more.
The comments came after Jannik Sinner defeated Daniil Medvedev 7-6, 7-6 in the final to claim his first Indian Wells title. Sinner received $1.15 million for the victory, the same amount earned by women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka.
Speaking on the Nothing Major podcast, Querrey said the amount does not reflect the scale of the tournament or the revenue generated by top players.
Advertisement
“I’m convinced they should get $3 million,” he said, suggesting that champions at a major Masters event like Indian Wells deserve a larger share.
Querrey pointed to ticket sales and packed stadiums during Sinner’s matches as evidence that star players bring enormous value to the tournament.
He also compared tennis prize money to golf payouts, noting that recent golf events have awarded significantly larger prize checks to winners.
Advertisement
Data from recent tournaments shows that prize money for early rounds has increased over the years, but payouts for champions and finalists have actually dropped slightly compared to previous editions.
The IRFU has announced contract extensions for Bundee Aki, Dan Sheehan, Jamison Gibson-Park and Josh van der Flier.
This secures the futures of four key players as Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell builds his squad towards Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.
Bundee Aki
Connacht’s Aki has signed a new one-year contract extension. Leinster duo van der Flier and Gibson-Park have put pen to paper on two-year deals up until the end of the 2027/28 season. Sheehan has committed his future to Ireland and Leinster for a further three years until the end of the 2028/29 campaign.
Since making his debut against South Africa in 2017, Aki has been an influential figure in Ireland’s midfield, winning 69 Test caps in green, most recently coming off the bench in Saturday’s victory over Scotland.
Advertisement
Aki has won three Guinness Men’s Six Nations titles with Ireland, including two Grand Slams, and in 2023 was nominated for the World Rugby Men’s XVs Player of the Year award.
Josh van de Flier
Van der Flier won his 79th Test cap in green at the weekend, with his performances throughout the Championship campaign underlining his enduring worth in Ireland’s back row.
The 2022 World Rugby 15s Player of the Year remains a key part of Farrell’s side and will continue playing his rugby with Ireland and Leinster until the end of the 2027/28 campaign.
Jamison Gibson-Park
Gibson-Park was one of Ireland’s outstanding performers throughout the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, most notably at Twickenham where his Player of the Match performance inspired Farrell’s side to a memorable bonus point win.
Advertisement
The scrum-half won his 50th Ireland cap against Wales earlier this month and news of his commitment to Ireland and Leinster for a further two years is a major boost.
Dan Sheehan
27-year-old Sheehan has established himself as one of the game’s leading players since breaking on to the international scene against Japan in 2021, winning 39 Ireland caps in that time.
On Saturday, the hooker scored his 15th Six Nations try in green and Sheehan is a central figure in Ireland’s pack.
Key leaders
Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell said of today’s contract extensions:
Advertisement
“You cannot underestimate the outstanding contributions of these four players to Irish Rugby over many years. That they see their futures here is a significant boost, which I have no doubt will delight Ireland supporters around the world. They are all key leaders who put their bodies on the line time and time again in reaching the highest standards on the field.
“All four players are a pleasure to work with and have played key roles throughout the recent Guinness Men’s Six Nations. In congratulating Bundee, Jamison, Dan and Josh on their new contracts, we look forward to seeing them progress in Ireland in the months and years to come.”
Stan Moody held his nerve to clinch a 5-4 win over John Higgins at the World Open in the veteran’s 2,000th professional match.
Higgins, 50, fought back from 4-1 down to square the second-round contest against England’s Moody in Yushan, China.
But the 19-year-old, ranked 47th in the world, made a break of 65 in the deciding frame to knock out the four-time world champion.
“I watched John growing up and learning the game. To beat him in an important match out in China and to do it with a lot of breaks as well is a good feeling,” Moody told World Snooker, external.
Advertisement
“John is a class act. I knew if I let him back in he would come back, so I’m glad I managed to hold my nerve in the decider.”
Moody’s reward for the victory over defending champion Higgins is a third-round meting with Welshman Ryan Day.
Elsewhere at the Yushan Sport Centre, Masters champion Kyren Wilson eased to a 5-2 win over Lyu Haotian, while world number one Judd Trump cruised to a 5-1 success over Florian Nuessle.
World champion Zhao Xintong claimed a 5-4 victory over Chinese compatriot Long Zehuang.
Advertisement
Mark Williams, Gary Wilson and Jackson Page progressed at the expense of Ricky Walden, Aaron Hill and Liu Wenwei respectively.
Bayern Munich may hand 16-year-old goalkeeper Leonard Prescott his first-team debut in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The German giants have three goalkeepers struggling with injury and if Jonas Urbig fails to recover from concussion then Prescott will play in the second leg of their last 16 tie against Atalanta, head coach Vincent Kompany said.
Urbig sustained his injury in Bayern’s 6-1 victory in Italy last week, while regular starter Manuel Neuer is working towards full fitness after a muscle tear and third-choice keeper Sven Ulreich picked up an adductor issue in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen.
“Jonas trained normally today [Tuesday]. The decision tomorrow will be a medical one,” Kompany said.
Advertisement
“If everything goes well then Urbig will be in goal. If not then we will have to find another solution.”
Prescott, a German youth international who plays for Bayern’s under-19s, will require clearance from German labour authorities to work in the evening as he is a teenager.
He has been on Bayern’s bench in their past two matches with fellow teenage keeper Leon Klanac, 19, also out with a thigh injury.
Reserve team keeper Janis Bartl, 19, has featured on the Bayern bench in two Bundesliga matches this season, but it is Prescott who Kompany will turn to if necessary.
Advertisement
“He [Prescott] is very calm. Overall, we as a staff are also calm. If he plays tomorrow he will have our full backing. Everyone will help,” Kompany added.
“There will never be a young player who will be forced to play a main role. We have full confidence in him whatever happens tomorrow.”
Neuer, a World Cup winner and 12-time Bundesliga champion with Bayern, has played 19 times in the league this season, with the 37-year-old’s last appearance coming on 6 March.
Urbig, 22, has played eight league matches, including six starts, while Ulreich, 37, made his first appearance of the season on Saturday.
Advertisement
Bayern, the defending Bundesliga champions and current league leaders, will face either Real Madrid or Manchester City in the last eight should they beat Atalanta.
The Braves saw their seven-year playoff streak come to an end last year as a number of their players underperformed. The likes of Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, Raisel Iglesias and Jurickson Profar, who has now been suspended for all of this season after missing half of last season, all ended up as Fantasy baseball busts, whether due to injury, suspension, ineffectiveness or a combination. As anyone entering 2026 Fantasy baseball drafts knows, composing a winning squad will be as much about hitting on your top Fantasy baseball picks as it will be about avoiding selecting Fantasy baseball busts 2026.
Others like Adley Rutschman, Bryan Reynolds, Zac Gallen and Devin Williams are also coming off down years and failing to live up to their Fantasy baseball ADP. Thus, you’re faced with a decision as to if last year was the start of a trend of if they’ll bounce back and are worth taking in 2026 Fantasy baseball drafts. Before finalizing your 2026 Fantasy baseball draft prep, be sure to see the 2026 Fantasy baseball rankings and cheat sheets from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
Last season, SportsLine’s Projection Model identified several top Fantasy baseball sleepers, breakouts and busts, including Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider.
Strider led MLB in both wins (20) and strikeouts (281) in 2023 before missing most of 2024 due to injury. He returned last year but the model predicted he would struggle to regain his pre-injury form and wouldn’t live up to his lofty Fantasy baseball ADP (97.81). Strider was the SP30 by average draft position, but SportsLine had him barely cracking the top 75 starting pitchers in its rankings.
Advertisement
The result: Strider posted a 7-14 record, with a 4.45 ERA and not even half as many strikeouts (131) as his dominant 2023 season. He also missed over a month of action due to another injury and ended up barely making the top 100 starting pitchers in Fantasy points, much closer to SportsLine’s projection of SP74 rather than his ADP of SP30. Anybody who followed the model’s advice and avoided Strider in their Fantasy baseball drafts avoided a major headache in their Fantasy baseball lineups.
The SportsLine model is engineered by the same people who powered projections for all three major Fantasy sites. And that same group is sharing its 2026 Fantasy baseball rankings and cheat sheets over at SportsLine, helping you find Fantasy baseball sleepers, breakouts and busts long before your competition. Their cheat sheets, available for leagues on many major sites, are updated multiple times every day.
One of the Fantasy baseball busts 2026 the model is fading: Brewers starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski. A June call-up last year, the rookie became the first pitcher in over 60 years to record 11 no-hit innings to start his career and then made MLB history by becoming an All-Star after just five starts. He had the majors’ fifth-highest average fastball velocity (99.3 m.p.h.) across his 66 regular season innings and then posted a microscopic 1.50 ERA across 12 postseason innings.
Advertisement
However, in between the All-Star Game and the playoffs, Misiorowski looked every bit like a novice on the mound. He had a 6.03 ERA over his last eight starts as batters adjusted to seeing his arsenal, while Misiorowski failed to make adjustments to hitters. Many Fantasy owners are being overly influenced by his hot start as his No. 121 Fantasy baseball ADP puts him amongst the top 30 starters. However, SportsLine’s model has him barely cracking the top 100 starting pitchers, making Misiorowski one to avoid in Fantasy baseball drafts 2026.
Another of the 2026 Fantasy baseball busts the model projects won’t live up to their ADP: Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso. After seven years in Queens, Alonso left the Mets for Baltimore in the offseason, on the heels of a season with 38 homers, 126 RBI and an .871 OPS. He’s going in the third round on average, in 2026 Fantasy baseball drafts with a mean draft position of 28.
However, Alonso’s metrics from last year should be a bit concerning. His batting average on balls in play (BAbip) was a career-best of .305, indicating he was a bit lucky and could regress to the mean. Additionally, his home run rate (5.4%) was the second-lowest of his career, while his walk rate (8.6%) was the lowest of his seven seasons. Alonso’s greatest strength is his home run power, but the two lowest HR rates of his career have come in the last two seasons as the 31-year-old could be on the decline. The model has Alonso on par with Michael Busch in its Fantasy baseball 2026 rankings, but Alonso is being drafted seven rounds earlier on average. See more busts at SportsLine.
How to find proven 2026 Fantasy baseball rankings
SportsLine’s model is also fading a surprising ace who is coming off the board in the sixth round on average in early 2026 Fantasy baseball drafts. The model is predicting this All-Star fails to live up to his lofty daft status finishes outside the top 30 at his position. Avoiding him until later on could be the difference between winning your league or going home with nothing. You can only see who it is here.
India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams have learned their group-stage opponents for the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup, with both sides placed in Pool D of their respective categories for the tournament to be co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium later this year.The Indian men’s team has been grouped with Pakistan, England and Wales. The draw ceremony took place at the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam on Tuesday.The Indian women’s team will face China, England and South Africa in their group. The tournament is scheduled to be held from August 15 to 30.According to the International Hockey Federation, both Indian teams will play their matches in the Netherlands. The full match schedule is expected to be released on Wednesday.Reigning men’s champions Germany, who won their third World Cup title in 2023 in Bhubaneswar by beating Belgium, have been placed in Pool B along with Belgium, France and Malaysia.“The draw was done by hockey legends Naomie van As, Barbara Neelen and Teun de Nooijer, as well as DJ La Fuente, who was announced as Dutch Ambassador for the World Cup during the ceremony,” the FIH said in a release.The Pools:Men:Pool A: Netherlands, Argentina, New Zealand, Japan (playing in the Netherlands)Pool B: Belgium, Germany, France, Malaysia (playing in Belgium)Pool C: Australia, Spain, Ireland, South Africa (playing in Belgium)Pool D: England, India, Pakistan, Wales (playing in the Netherlands)Women:Pool A: Netherlands, Australia, Chile, Japan (playing in the Netherlands)Pool B: Argentina, Germany, USA, Scotland (playing in Belgium)Pool C: Belgium, Spain, New Zealand, Ireland (playing in Belgium)Pool D: China, England, India, South Africa (playing in the Netherlands).
Folks who follow the Vikings are sometimes prone to gloom-and-doom thinking (possibly for good reason). When good news hits the Vikings’ airwaves, people perk up.
Recently, the decision was to move on from veteran DTs Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. The pair of trench defenders are still good ball players but didn’t fulfill the expectations that came alongside their contracts, leading Rob Brzezinski to move on via cut. Doing so carves out some cap space. What arrives as a breath of fresh air for the team is that the incoming cap influx could be more ample than originally believed.
Good News for the Vikings’ Skimpy Budget
Start off with a tip of the cap to Sean Borman, someone who focuses much of his attention on the salary cap and who writes for VT.
Advertisement
He writes, “Confirmed: The #Vikings are set to be completely off the hook for Jonathan Allen’s $8M guarantee in 2026. With the #Bengals giving Allen more than $8M cash, the full offset kicks in. Minnesota avoids the $8M cash payout and banks an $8M cap credit for 2027.”
Shortly thereafter, Borman adds, “Not only is the Allen offset confirmed, but the #Vikings are also fully cleared on Javon Hargrave’s $4M guarantee now that he’s getting $13M in 2026 cash from Green Bay. That’s $12M total in future cap credits banked between the two of them.”
Oct 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (97) collapses the pocket while pursuing Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during first-half action at SoFi Stadium. Hargrave’s interior pass rush forced Herbert off his spot as the Vikings’ defensive front attempted to disrupt the Chargers’ rhythm through consistent pressure. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
If I’m not mistaken, Thor Nystrom was among the first — if not the first — to note the potential offset language. He has seen the news surrounding the well-paid, veteran DTs before commenting, “Officially official.”
Finally, note that Spotrac (a salary cap website) corroborates what is circulating. The thought gets passed along on social media: “Allen has an $8M guarantee with the #Vikings that is now set to be fully offset by this Bengals deal.”
Advertisement
Okay, step back to better understand where things stand.
At present, Minnesota is sitting on roughly $9.5 million in cap space. That’s a rough estimate that arrives due to the (roughly) $6 million in cap space on Over the Cap alongside the $3.5 million that still needs to be added for the Aaron Jones pay cut.
Even better for the Vikings is that there’s still more cap space to come. In particular, there’s the financial windfall (of sorts) that’s going to arrive due to pursuing a post-June 1 cut for Allen alongside Harrison Smith. Designating things as a post-June 1 cut means that the cap space is going to arrive in June. Combined, Allen and Smith are going to give back $12.5 million.
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (33) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Furthermore, there’s good news in the updates being passed along by Borman, Nystrom, and Spotrac.
Cincinnati has scooped up Mr. Allen and Green Bay has opted for Mr. Hargrave. What makes those two realities good news for Minnesota’s front office is that those two new places of employment are taking on some of the cap charges for the veteran talents.
Advertisement
In 2027, Minnesota’s cap is going to get some added credits tacked onto the pile due to the contracts that the Bengals gave to Allen and the Packers to Hargrave.
In an NFL where money is malleable and cap charges are commonly kicked into the future, Minnesota can stand a touch taller when negotiating with external talent right now since there’s future abundance that was somewhat mysterious until recently. Alternatively, the Vikings can continue with the cautious spending approach, slow-playing things while looking ahead to a more prosperous future.
The top roster needs are at corner, running back, center, punter, linebacker, and defensive tackle.
US President Donald Trump said Iran are still welcome to play in the 2026 football World Cup but maybe shouldn’t for their safety.
Iran have said the United States should be kicked out of the soccer tournament, which starts on 11 June, not them.
And FIFA President Gianni Infantino says the World Cup can bring people together.
There is nothing in the FIFA statutes against tournament hosts being at war. However, Article 3 of the governing body’s statutes do pledge to uphold international human rights standards.
Both Trump and Infantino “do as they please without serious commitment to the democratic principles of the organizations that they represent,” Alan Tomlinson, a professor at the University of Brighton in the UK, who specializes in the social history of sport and FIFA, told DW.
Iran war the tipping point?
The US’ decision to enter a conflict with Israel against Iran isn’t the first issue that causing fans to consider whether they should travel to the tournament, or if the games should even be played.
Advertisement
In the months before the war started on February 28, the actions of ICE agents rounding up migrants, travel bans on certain nationalities, visa hurdles and ticket pricing have led to numerous debates and concerns about the upcoming tournament. The games are spread over the US, Canada and Mexico, but 78 out of the 104 matches are being playing in the US.
The question is, will the war in Iran prove a decisive moment for the 2026 World Cup?
“I don’t think Iran will be the tipping point, but maybe it should be,” Jake Wojtowicz told DW.
Advertisement
Wojtowicz is a researcher and author in the philosophy of sport and specializes in the ethics of sports fandom. Wojtowicz, who co-authored the book “Why It’s OK to Be a Sports Fan” in 2023, believes a lot of the conversation is about perception.
“In the West, America has a massive cultural impact, whereas [2022 World Cup host] Qatar is not culturally significant. So, when a nation comes along, and it’s going to get involved in the World Cup, and you find out that it does bad things that we aren’t used to, it’s easier to be critical. The United States does bad things, and we are used to it.”
Global sport is regularly confronted with ethical issues, as the last two football World Cups in Russia and Qatar respectively prove.
But is the US’ war with Iran creating a new dimension of thinking for all involved with the tournament?
Advertisement
“A host country at war, led by a political leader proud to accept a bogus Peace Prize, and now just months away from a five-week global sport spectacle, is without doubt a moral line that should not be crossed,” Tomlinson said. “But moral lines are not economic and commercial considerations.”
The 1978 World Cup was also accompanied by an ethical dilemmaImage: Herbert Rudel/Sportfoto Rudel/IMAGO
Wojtowicz has a similar view. “I think the problem slips in when you think this [the war in Iran] is a bad thing, and then you go to the World Cup or you watch the World Cup, and you think America’s pretty good actually,” Wojtowicz said.
“You start to think of the United States in terms of [England captain and striker] Harry Kane scoring two goals to sink Brazil in the final rather than thinking about ICE or the fact that citizens are getting deported. And that’s the worry, that the World Cup gets in the way of normal moral thinking.”
FIFA: The house of many truths
DW contacted both Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International for this article, but neither replied. Concerns from those organizations around FIFA’s decision were made public at the end of 2025, with both calling for FIFA to act on human rights issues.
Advertisement
“Infantino’s actions are in many respects politically and ethically unprecedented,” added Tomlinson.
That wasn’t the case when he arrived in office, succeeding former FIFA boss Sepp Blatter who didn’t exactly leave with a clean record. However, since then, Infantino has, in many ways, pushed the boundaries even further than many men before him.
Infantino has been close to many world leaders before TrumpImage: Yuri Kadobnov/AFP via Getty Images
“Infantino has accepted an award from Vladimir Putin following the men’s World Cup in Russia in 2018; he has supported Qatar, even taking up residency in the country, at every stage of the build-up to the controversial Qatar 2022 men’s World Cup; and, with little debate, has allocated the 2034 event to Saudi Arabia. In the build-up to the 2026 event he has taken up residency in Miami, pretty much on the doorstep of his mentor Trump,” Tomlinson explained.
“This is not the conduct of the representative of a global, democratic organisation. Infantino has without doubt escalated the ethical conflicts characterizing the contemporary game,” Tomlinson added.
The show must go on?
Many sports events around the world have been faced with challenging ethical considerations or political shadows, but in most cases the action on the field takes place.
Advertisement
A 2025 paper by Paul Bertin and Pauline Grippa published in Political Psychology revealed that many fans who intended to boycott the 2022 World Cup did not. This research is among the many reasons why Wojtowicz believes the draw of football makes ethical boycotts unlikely, but fans should be proactively engaged all the same.
“If someone turns around and says, ‘Well, Trump’s put on a great World Cup, hasn’t he?’ The correct response should be: ‘What are you talking about? He’s got nothing to do with this, and he is using this to look better’,” Wojtowicz said.
“I think the point is you just have to engage with it. You have to think about it and and make sure you don’t let it slip because the World Cup’s happening,” Wojtowicz said. “I think small acts of ethical resistance can be helpful.”
You must be logged in to post a comment Login