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The Hindu Editorial • June 11, 2026 • Read Original
Sport during a war: On the FIFA World Cup 2026
The U.S. is giving the FIFA World Cup a bad name
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Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on June 11, 2026
Sport during a war: On the FIFA World Cup 2026
The U.S. is giving the FIFA World Cup a bad name
FIFA World Cup 2026US Iran Stand-offOmar ArtanSports and GeopoliticsEstadio Azteca
Sentences
Sentence 1 of 22
Sentence 1 of 22
No showpiece event of a sport has lived up to its billing quite like the FIFA World Cup.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
No showpiece event of a sport
No major or most important tournament of any sport
Verb
has lived up to
has performed or succeeded as well as expected
Object
its billing
its reputation or the high advertisement and expectations surrounding it
Adjunct
quite like the FIFA World Cup
in the same way that the FIFA World Cup does
Sentence 2 of 22
The 2026 edition, which kicks off on Thursday, offers proof.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The 2026 edition, which kicks off on Thursday
The 2026 World Cup tournament, which starts on Thursday
Verb
offers
provides or shows
Object
proof
evidence that the tournament is indeed the greatest showpiece event
Sentence 3 of 22
With 48 teams and 104 matches, it is the biggest ever.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
With 48 teams and 104 matches
Having 48 participating national teams and a schedule of 104 total games
Subject
it
the 2026 edition of the World Cup
Verb
is
stands as or exists as
Complement
the biggest ever
the largest tournament in the entire history of the World Cup
Sentence 4 of 22
With roughly one in four FIFA member nations qualifying, and six of the seven continents represented, it is the most inclusive yet.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
With roughly one in four FIFA member nations qualifying, and six of the seven continents represented
Since about 25 percent of FIFA’s members succeeded in qualifying, and six continents have teams playing in the tournament
Subject
it
the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Verb
is
stands as or exists as
Complement
the most inclusive yet
the tournament that includes the most diverse range of countries and regions so far
Sentence 5 of 22
From Oceania to North America, it wraps the whole universe.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
From Oceania to North America
Stretching from the islands of the Pacific region (Oceania) all the way to the North American continent
Subject
it
the FIFA World Cup tournament
Verb
wraps
covers, encompasses, or embraces
Object
the whole universe
metaphorically, the entire footballing community and all nations on Earth
Sentence 6 of 22
It is also the first time that three countries will be hosting the quadrennial extravaganza — the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
It
This current edition of the tournament
Verb
is also
additionally represents or is
Complement
the first time that three countries will be hosting the quadrennial extravaganza — the United States, Canada and Mexico
the first occasion where three nations (the US, Canada, and Mexico) are joint hosts for this four-yearly major sporting event
Sentence 7 of 22
Top players in Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar have touched down, and so have coaches such as Carlo Ancelotti and Thomas Tuchel.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Top players in Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar
Elite and legendary football players, specifically Messi, Ronaldo, and Neymar
Verb
have touched down
have arrived or landed at the location
Adjunct
, and so
and in the same manner
Verb
have
have also arrived (repeating the action of the first verb implicitly)
Subject
coaches such as Carlo Ancelotti and Thomas Tuchel
famous football managers like Carlo Ancelotti and Thomas Tuchel
Sentence 8 of 22
While Messi will aim for a repeat of Argentina’s trophy-winning exploits from 2022, Ronaldo will gun for Portugal’s first.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
While Messi will aim for a repeat of Argentina’s trophy-winning exploits from 2022
At the same time that Messi targets duplicating Argentina’s World Cup victory from the 2022 edition
Subject
Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Verb
will gun for
will determinely pursue or target
Object
Portugal’s first
Portugal’s first ever World Cup championship trophy
Sentence 9 of 22
Neymar, yet to win the coveted Cup, has a very heavy cross to bear, for he comes from the land of Pele and five-time champion Brazil.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Neymar, yet to win the coveted Cup
Neymar, who has not yet succeeded in winning the highly desired World Cup trophy
Verb
has
possesses or carries
Object
a very heavy cross to bear
a major burden of expectations or a difficult responsibility to handle
Adjunct
for he comes from the land of Pele and five-time champion Brazil
because he was born in and plays for Brazil, the country of the legendary Pele and winner of five World Cups
Sentence 10 of 22
Kylian Mbappe’s France, titlist in 2018 and runner-up in 2022, remains strong.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Kylian Mbappe’s France, titlist in 2018 and runner-up in 2022
The French national team led by star forward Kylian Mbappe, which won the 2018 tournament and reached the final in 2022
Verb
remains
continues to be
Complement
strong
highly competitive, powerful, and a favorite to win
Sentence 11 of 22
Spain, with the irresistible teenager Lamine Yamal in its ranks, is a favourite, and so are Germany and England to a lesser degree.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Spain, with the irresistible teenager Lamine Yamal in its ranks
The Spain national football team, which features the exceptionally talented teenager Lamine Yamal in their squad
Verb
is
stands as
Complement
a favourite
a competitor highly expected to win the tournament
Adjunct
, and so
and in the same way
Verb
are
are also (elliptical for ‘are favourites’)
Subject
Germany and England
the German and English national teams
Adjunct
to a lesser degree
to a smaller extent or in a smaller amount compared to Spain
Sentence 12 of 22
But four-time winner Italy is absent, for a scarcely believable third straight occasion.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
But four-time winner Italy
However, the Italian national team, which has won the World Cup four times in the past
Verb
is
stands as
Complement
absent
missing or not participating in the tournament
Adjunct
for a scarcely believable third straight occasion
for a consecutive third time, which is extremely difficult to believe
Sentence 13 of 22
The World Cup also serves a purpose beyond the turf — of shrinking differences, uniting populations and promoting cross-cultural exchanges.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The World Cup
The global football championship
Verb
also serves
additionally fulfills or provides
Object
a purpose beyond the turf
a role or goal outside of the actual football playing field
Adjunct
of shrinking differences, uniting populations and promoting cross-cultural exchanges
reducing disagreements, bringing different peoples together, and encouraging cultural sharing
Sentence 14 of 22
In a fractured world, it is hoped that the event will help heal wounds.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
In a fractured world
In a deeply divided and politically broken world
Subject
it
the collective expectation or wish
Verb
is hoped
is expected or desired
Complement
that the event will help heal wounds
that the tournament will assist in resolving political conflicts and divisions
Sentence 15 of 22
But FIFA, which administers global football, has not always been a clean arbitrator, with its choice of hosts for the 2018 and 2022 editions — Russia and Qatar — raising eyebrows.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
But FIFA, which administers global football
However, FIFA, the international governing body of soccer
Verb
has not always been
has historically failed to remain
Complement
a clean arbitrator
an honest and unbiased decision-maker
Adjunct
with its choice of hosts for the 2018 and 2022 editions — Russia and Qatar — raising eyebrows
since choosing Russia and Qatar as host nations caused surprise and suspicion of corruption
Sentence 16 of 22
Even in 2026, geopolitical tensions are evident.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Even in 2026
Additionally during this 2026 edition of the tournament
Subject
geopolitical tensions
political conflicts and strained relationships between different countries
Verb
are
present themselves as
Complement
evident
clearly visible or obvious to everyone
Sentence 17 of 22
Iran has issues over logistics, and there are concerns over the U.S.’s strict visa policies.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Iran
The Iranian national football team and its administration
Verb
has
faces or is dealing with
Object
issues over logistics
problems related to travel, accommodation, funding, and equipment transportation
Verb
are
exist or have arisen
Subject
concerns over the U.S.’s strict visa policies
anxieties about the rigid and demanding entry visa rules imposed by the United States government
Sentence 18 of 22
FIFA will have to walk a diplomatic tightrope to ensure that all teams are allowed in and their fans can watch them.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
FIFA
The international governing body of association football
Verb
will have to walk
will be forced to navigate or proceed very carefully
Object
a diplomatic tightrope
a very delicate political situation where a tiny error could lead to severe consequences
Adjunct
to ensure that all teams are allowed in and their fans can watch them
to guarantee that every qualified country receives entry visas and their supporters can attend matches
Sentence 19 of 22
But global tournaments also reflect the reality of their times, and in the case of the 2026 World Cup, it will be the shadow of the wars in Ukraine and West Asia.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
But global tournaments
However, international sporting competitions
Verb
also reflect
additionally show or mirror
Object
the reality of their times
the actual political and social situation of the world at that moment
Adjunct
in the case of the 2026 World Cup
specifically regarding the upcoming 2026 tournament
Subject
it
this reflected reality
Verb
will be
will manifest as
Complement
the shadow of the wars in Ukraine and West Asia
the negative impact and gloom cast by the military conflicts in Europe and the Middle East
Sentence 20 of 22
Sports cannot be siloed from geopolitical realities, and there is no escape from that.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Sports
Athletic activities and major global sporting events
Verb
cannot be siloed
cannot be kept isolated or completely separated
Adjunct
from geopolitical realities
from the actual political events and tensions happening globally
Verb
is
exists
Subject
no escape from that
no way to avoid this connection or truth
Sentence 21 of 22
But as long as matches are played and fans keep turning up, sport will retain its power to attract, distract and sometimes even heal.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
But as long as matches are played and fans keep turning up
provided that matches continue to be played and spectators continue to attend
Subject
sport
athletic games and matches in general
Verb
will retain
will continue to possess or keep
Object
its power to attract, distract and sometimes even heal
its ability to interest people, divert their attention from daily struggles, and bring emotional peace
Sentence 22 of 22
Hopefully, the 2026 edition will do more of the latter.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Hopefully
It is to be hoped that
Subject
the 2026 edition
the 2026 World Cup tournament
Verb
will do
will perform or achieve
Object
more of the latter
more of healing rather than just attracting attention or distracting people
Reading Comprehension
Practice questions based on this editorial
Reading Comprehension - Sport during a war
Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about the geopolitical significance and athletic landscape of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
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