Pep

Anti-imperialist Interista telling you to touch grass

[Middle East Observer @ME_Observer_]

⚡️ 📸 Minab 168 on the stadium stands

[Leyla Hamed @leylahamed]

“My mum could not be here either for a visa issue, and the money we had to pay for it.”

This is genuinely sad. What FIFA and the U.S. have done in this WC should not be brushed off as just another tournament controversy. A historic disgrace.

[Nima Tavallaey Roodsari @NimaTavRood]

Not ONE single football related question at the official pre-match press conference ahead of #TeamMelli vs New Zealand. Disgraceful.
These people are REALLY lucky I'm not the Press Officer of the Iran national team.

[Pep @Pepissmo]

Il re torna 👑

[Sovereign Media @sov_media]

FIFA PAYS THE PRICE FOR BEING EUROCENTRIC

For decades, FIFA has treated western European television audiences as the centre of the football universe, scheduling kick-off times to suit the region’s prime time. But as the 2026 World Cup begins, FIFA is paying the price for its Eurocentric strategy.

With the tournament hosted in North America, matches will have terrible midnight and early morning viewing slots for Asia, ensuring that fans will have to stay up late at night to watch. And the financial fallout for FIFA is quite staggering.

It demanded a $300-million broadcast deal in China, but instead faced a commercial revolt. In the end, it was forced into a last-minute panic agreement with China Media Group for a mere $60 million—an 80% price cut.

In India, the world’s most populous nation, FIFA aimed for a $100-million deal but has been hit with a total stalemate. Knowing ad revenue will plunge for late night games, JioStar offered a mere $20 million, while Sony sat out the bidding process altogether. With only weeks left, tens of millions of Indian fans were facing a total blackout.

FIFA was then forced to swallow its pride and accept a fraction of what it asked for. Football’s governing body struck a last-minute deal with Zee Entertainment worth an estimated $40 million - a figure representing only 40% of their initial asking price.

Thus, FIFA is literally paying a hefty price for its continued Eurocentrism.

[Fútbol y Política @FutboliPolitica]

📺 La señal mexicana Telemundo es una de las pocas que decidió no poner anuncios en el cooling break:

"Preferimos la forma antigua. Deberíamos poder ver lo que hacen los jugadores. Mostramos a los aficionados, a la gente disfrutando, no la dirección corporativa del fútbol."

[Antifa_Ultras @ultras_antifaa]

Manager Jurgen Klopp strongly criticized the advertising shown during cooling breaks at #2026WorldCup matches:

“These were sold to us as a measure to protect the well-being of the players. But in reality, they are nothing more than a cage built for advertisers. Football is a hostage to advertisers.”

[pap1pap @pap1pap]

Leoni, tante partite in A quante Chivu, 35 milioni.
Palestra, 1 stagione in bassa A, 55/60 milioni.
Stankovic, miglior giovane in Svizzera, miglior giovane in Belgio, diversi mvp, 10 partite in CL, proposta indecente 35/40 milioni.

[Football Tweet ⚽ @Footballtweet]

🇧🇦 This isn't Bosnia by the way. This is the middle of Toronto. 🇨🇦

The Bosnian fans are incredible. 💪

[VERSUS @vsrsus]

The DR Congo arrival fits are pure aura.

[Leyla Hamed @leylahamed]

Palestine may not have made it to the World Cup, but Bosnia and Herzegovina fans are making sure it is always present, whether in Canada, the U.S. or football stadiums everywhere.

[Samira Mohyeddin سمیرا @SMohyeddin]

Activists in Toronto.

“Kick Israel out of FIFA.” 👇

[Daniel Lobato𓂆 @lobatobdan]

No sé mucho de fútbol pero sé con quién voy en este Mundial.

[safia 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇦🇷🇧🇦🇹🇷 @s4f1ja]

And don’t put those silly American sports on my TL for the next month we’re trying to watch a real sport over here none of that yank nonsense

[Antifa_Ultras @ultras_antifaa]

“Working class game, business class prices.”

[New Direction AFRICA @Its_ereko]

🚨 Another day, another African humiliation at the American border.

Côte d’Ivoire’s official supporters’ body just announced: Their home-based fans have been denied US visas for the 2026 World Cup. The US government made it clear — they “do not want to see our supporters” on their soil.

Only a few officials got visas. Ordinary Ivorian fans? Locked out.

This is the same United States that preaches “inclusion,” “democracy,” and “fair play” to Africa while treating us like threats. First the Somali referee blocked despite a valid visa. Now the Elephants fans.

They want our talent and our money, but not our presence unless they can control it.

[Kieran Maguire @KieranMaguire]

The World Cup...except the World cannot attend it.

[Nima Tavallaey Roodsari @NimaTavRood]

On @talkSPORT with Alan Pardew discussing Iran's chances at the @FIFAWorldCup as well as the disgraceful behavior by the host country & @FIFAcom towards Team Melli.

[Brian McDonald @BrianMcDonaldIE]

When Russia hosted the World Cup in 2018, it had to suspend normal visa rules for the tournament. Foreigners with tickets could enter visa-free, using a scheme called ‘Fan ID.’

Russia also had to do weird stuff to keep FIFA’s sponsors happy. For example, small shops near Fan Zones and stadiums could only sell Budweiser beer on match days.

So yes, FIFA absolutely does dictate conditions to host governments when it suits FIFA. Infantino pretending otherwise is nonsense.