Politicians and Billionaires at Football Matches: Is Capital Turning Sportwashing Into a Power Play?

What happens when a president calls a football governing body to help his country’s striker? According to this review of Miguel Delaney’s States of Play, the episode captures the widening reach of politics and money into the sport.

During the 2026 North American World Cup, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino after American striker Folarin Balogun was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina and became ineligible for the round-of-16 match against Belgium. FIFA postponed enforcement of Balogun’s suspension for one year on the eve of the Belgium match. Trump later openly acknowledged asking for the decision to be reconsidered.

Delaney, The Independent’s chief football writer, traces the structures that allow politicians, billionaires, football executives and states to influence the game. The review points to Roman Abramovich’s purchase of Chelsea, Abu Dhabi’s ownership of Manchester City, Qatar’s ownership of Paris Saint-Germain and Saudi Arabia’s acquisition of Newcastle United. It links that pattern of state-backed investment to Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 2034 World Cup.

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The core issue was scale. The first factor was the vast wealth generated by fossil-fuel economies. The second was the sheer size of the absolute power exercised by the rulers. Once these countries understood the power of football, regional rivalry and politics inevitably accelerated the process.

The review also focuses on the 2022 Qatar World Cup final ceremony, when Lionel Messi wore a bisht, a traditional Qatari garment, over his Argentina shirt. Delaney calls the scene a vivid sign of how modern football has become subordinate to power and capital because it broke with the tradition of presenting the champion in its football shirt alone.

Sportwashing, a term combining sport with whitewashing, describes efforts by states or companies to use sport’s popularity to conceal negative features and promote a favorable image. Delaney’s argument goes further: sportwashing has become a process through which states, capital, diplomacy, international organizations and global media interact to shape the balance of power. The review connects that concern to the independence granted to national football associations by FIFA rules. Government action against corruption could itself be treated as political interference, potentially exposing a national association to sanctions or suspension. It also notes Delaney’s concern that traditional domestic leagues may struggle to survive as football’s global power brokers continue to reshape the game.

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There is no scene that better shows how modern football has become subordinate to power and capital than breaking with the tradition of wearing only the football shirt at the ceremony and having Messi wear the country’s traditional clothing.