When the Masked Mob Fires Rockets Again, We Will Miss This World Cup
This opinion piece from Die Welt reflects on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was initially criticized for its expansion to 48 teams, hosting in the United States under Donald Trump, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino's influence. Despite fears of commercialism and low-quality matches, the author concludes the tournament was surprisingly positive. Stars like Messi, Mbappé, and Haaland delivered, and smaller teams such as Cape Verde and Panama impressed. Germany was eliminated early by Paraguay. The article criticizes German self-perception in football and suggests that fans should reconsider their biases about ticket prices and atmosphere. It warns that when the Bundesliga resumes amid familiar problems (symbolized by 'masked mobs firing rockets'), the World Cup's vibrant, diverse atmosphere will be missed.
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