Topic · 4 episodes
World Cup 2026
Every Onpode episode on World Cup 2026.
Episodes
2026 World Cup in US faces visa restrictions, ICE treatment of players, and Trump-era policy backlashSomali referee Omar Artan, FIFA-appointed and fully credentialed, was detained for eleven hours at Miami International Airport and sent home under U.S. Presidential Proclamation 10998, which suspended entry for nationals of 39 countries. FIFA publicly defended the U.S. as host while taking zero punitive action — a pattern critics call commercial priority disguised as legal powerlessness.
Messi passes Mbappé and beats Maradona's marks while leading Argentina's tournament chargeLionel Messi became the first player in history — men's or women's — to score 20 career World Cup goals at the 2026 tournament, surpassing Marta's all-time record. He also broke Maradona's World Cup assists record. Yet Argentina trailed 2–0 in consecutive matches, surviving on Messi's late interventions at age 39.
Egypt and other teams accuse FIFA of favoring Argentina; referee controversies mount as knockout stage intensifiesEgypt led Argentina 2-0 with eleven minutes left in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 before VAR disallowed Mostafa Zico's goal for a foul fifty yards from goal. Former Premier League referee Graham Scott said the call was incorrect. Argentina won 3-2, and Egypt's Football Association filed a formal complaint with FIFA alleging double standards in officiating.
Argentina stages incredible 3-2 comeback from 0-2 down to eliminate Egypt in World Cup Round of 16Argentina trailed Egypt 2-0 at halftime in their July 7 World Cup quarterfinal, survived a Messi penalty miss, then scored three goals in eleven minutes — Romero (79'), Messi (83'), Enzo Fernández (90+2') — to win 3-2. Egypt had a goal disallowed by VAR that would have made it 3-0.