Regional Voices: A shared love of football transcends political divides.
Old Man Hassan runs a small tea stall just outside the Imam Reza stadium in Mashhad, Iran. Every Friday, regardless of the political climate or the latest headlines, it’s teeming with fans. He’s seen generations pass through, all united by joob – the Persian word for football. “It doesn’t matter who they support, or what their politics are,” he says, carefully pouring steaming tea into small, patterned glasses. “For 90 minutes, everyone is just a fan. They sing, they argue good-naturedly, they live.” This week though, even the usual vibrancy felt muted. The news of the FIFA debacle had seeped in, discussed in hushed tones between sips of tea.
Across the border, in Amman, Jordan, Fatima, a volunteer coach with a girl’s football team, expressed similar anxieties. “These decisions made by people far away…they affect the dreams of these girls. We struggle for funding as it is. If FIFA prioritises money over grassroots development, where does that leave us?” The worry wasn’t about Infantino specifically, but the perception of an elite, detached system deciding the fate of a game many consider a lifeline. In Beirut, a group of young men playing a pickup game in a bombed-out lot echoed the sentiment. “Football is everything. It’s a moment of joy, a chance to forget. But it feels like even that is being taken away, turned into another business.”
A Regional Ripple
The FIFA controversy, seemingly focused on the inner workings of global football administration, has resonated deeply across the Middle East. For many, it’s a stark illustration of how external forces, driven by profit and political agendas, can undermine something genuinely beloved. The discussion isn’t just about football; it’s about representation, agency, and the feeling of being perpetually on the periphery. Iran and its regional neighbours have long felt subject to decisions made by powerful entities elsewhere, and this situation feels eerily familiar.
The anger also stems from a broader concern about the increasing commercialisation of football, particularly within a region where economic disparities are so pronounced. The prospect of private equity firms gaining control over a game that provides a rare source of unity and escape feels like a betrayal. It reinforces the idea that even something as seemingly pure as sport is not immune to the corrupting influence of money and power.
The Israel-Iran Connection – Beyond Headlines
While seemingly unrelated, this incident indirectly touches on the wider Israel-Iran dynamic. Soft power, and cultural exchange – like sport – are often vital avenues for building trust and understanding, even during times of intense political tension. A healthy, accessible football infrastructure, supported by a legitimate governing body, could potentially foster greater participation and interaction across regional boundaries. A financially compromised or politically manipulated FIFA weakens those possibilities, replacing them with further division and suspicion. The image of a financially desperate national football association can be easily exploited for political gain.
A Flicker of Possibility
Despite the cynicism and disappointment, the outpouring of concern over FIFA is a testament to the enduring power of football to connect people. The shared frustration, the collective concern for the future of the game – these are common threads that run across borders and political divides. Perhaps, in this moment, there’s an opportunity to demand greater transparency, accountability, and a re-centering of football’s core values: community, passion, and the pure joy of the game. And, maybe, Old Man Hassan will see his tea stall buzzing with renewed optimism next Friday.
Source: Al-Monitor, reporting by Ian Ransom and Kokkai Ng, 1 August 2026.
