Thomas Meunier denounces the dark side of the 2026 World Cup

This 2026 World Cup, according to Thomas Meunier, revealed the dark side of traditional football. The Belgian full‑back of Sunderland, aged thirty‑five and with three World Cup appearances, holds no good memories of the tournament and denounces it without mincing words.

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Sharing the interview on Whatsapp, LinkedIn and Email allowed a wide distribution. Published today at 13:24, the text invites you to Read in the app. ABr also appears in the layout. Interviewed by The Athletic, Thomas Meunier expressed his point of view.

At thirty‑five, the Belgian full‑back signed with Sunderland this summer. He has already played in three World Cups and totals eighty‑three caps. A former Parisien, he also played for Lille. His experience puts him at the heart of the debate on the World Cup.

Statements on FIFA and the Balogun drama

Thomas Meunier does not mince his words and openly criticises FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino. “Federations are political, financial, everything is linked. It’s a bit like a government,” he said. He adds that football reflects public opinion, including racism. And he wonders whether sport can truly separate itself from politics.

At the heart of the Balogun drama, the round of 16 pitted the Red Devils against the USA. A red card led to the player’s suspension, then the match was erased after an intervention by Donald Trump. Thomas Meunier described this episode as a reflection of the entire World Cup, dominated by capitalism, spectacle and money. This event illustrates, in his view, the dark side of traditional football.

Beyond the Red Devils’ journey, eliminated in the quarter‑finals by Spain, Thomas Meunier retains the tarnished image of the tournament. This World Cup embodied the dark side of traditional football, according to the defender. He notes that players remain largely silent in the face of FIFA. But he refuses to stay quiet.

He noted that the USA have the necessary infrastructure to host a World Cup every year, but only if the focus is exclusively on football. The problem, according to him, is that football was not the top priority for the 2026 World Cup. He concludes that the tournament must refocus its aim.

Don’t count on Thomas Meunier to use doublespeak; he always says what he thinks. A question remains about the future of sport under political influence. Thus, his testimony reveals the tensions that run through global football.