​FIFA President Gianni Infantino has repeatedly described soccer as a global force for unity, inclusion and social cohesion. By many measures, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has seemed to support that message. With the tournament expanded from 32 teams to 48, more countries have had the chance to compete on the world’s biggest sporting stage. Smaller and often overlooked national teams have exceeded expectations, created unforgettable moments, introduced new heroes and captured the imagination of fans around the world.
The expanded World Cup format has helped reinforce soccer’s reputation as the most universal sport on the planet. It has given underdog nations a platform, broadened global participation and offered millions of supporters a reason to feel represented. In a time of political division and international tension, FIFA has promoted the idea that soccer diplomacy can help bring people together. The World Cup has been presented not only as a tournament, but as a symbol of shared humanity.
Yet the 2026 World Cup has not been free from controversy. Disputes over referee decisions, accusations of favoritism and political interference, including criticism involving President Donald Trump, have all generated debate. Fans, commentators and officials have argued over fairness, governance and the role of politics in the sport. But amid these highly visible controversies, one critical issue has received far less attention: gender-based violence.
Several players participating in the World Cup have faced allegations, investigations or charges related to sexual assault, rape or intimate partner violence. Each case is different, and the principle of due process must always be respected. Allegations must be investigated fairly, and legal outcomes should not be assumed before facts are established. Still, these cases raise an urgent broader question for FIFA: Why does the organization maintain detailed rules governing drug use, match-fixing, betting, financial misconduct and on-field discipline, yet lack a clear universal policy addressing gender-based violence?
That absence reveals a serious contradiction at the heart of global soccer governance. Soccer is built on collective responsibility. Players are expected to show discipline, control their emotions, respect opponents, follow rules and contribute to the success of the team. These values are celebrated constantly by clubs, national federations and FIFA itself. But when allegations involve violence against women, soccer’s governing bodies have often failed to apply the same moral clarity and institutional seriousness.
Gianni Infantino has spoken frequently about violence in soccer, especially when it concerns fan disorder, racism, security threats or conflict between supporters. FIFA has issued strong statements on protecting the integrity of the game and ensuring safety inside stadiums. However, the organization has been far less vocal and far less systematic when it comes to gender-based violence involving players, coaches or officials. That silence matters.
Other major sports leagues have already recognized the need for stronger standards. The NFL, for example, has developed a Personal Conduct Policy that allows the league to address domestic violence, sexual assault and other serious misconduct beyond the criminal justice process. Major League Baseball has also created a policy that includes investigation, discipline and mandatory education related to domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. These policies are not perfect, but they acknowledge an important reality: sports organizations have responsibilities that extend beyond the field.
FIFA’s lack of a comparable global standard is not only a governance failure. It is also a missed opportunity for prevention. Gender-based violence is often treated as a private matter between individuals or as an issue only for police, courts and prosecutors. But decades of research show that violence is shaped by social norms, power imbalances and institutional responses. What communities tolerate, excuse or condemn plays a major role in either preventing abuse or allowing it to continue.
Soccer is one of the most influential cultural institutions in the world. The FIFA World Cup is not just a sporting event; it is a global platform watched by billions. The players who appear in the tournament are more than athletes. They are role models, public figures and representatives of national pride. When soccer institutions respond weakly or inconsistently to allegations of violence against women, they send a powerful message about what the sport is willing to overlook.
A strong FIFA policy on gender-based violence would not mean abandoning due process. On the contrary, it would create clearer procedures for investigation, accountability and education. It could establish temporary safeguarding measures while cases are reviewed, outline consistent disciplinary standards, require prevention training and support survivors through transparent reporting mechanisms. Such a policy would help national federations, clubs and tournament organizers respond more responsibly and consistently.
If FIFA truly believes soccer can build a more inclusive and respectful world, it must address gender-based violence with the same urgency it brings to doping, corruption and match manipulation. Protecting the integrity of the game should not be limited to what happens during 90 minutes on the pitch. It must also include the values the sport promotes off the field.
The 2026 World Cup has shown the best of soccer: passion, diversity, resilience and the power of global connection. But the tournament has also exposed a major gap in FIFA’s commitment to justice and inclusion. For soccer to be the force for unity that Gianni Infantino so often describes, FIFA must stop treating gender-based violence as an invisible issue. The world’s most popular sport has the influence, resources and responsibility to lead. Now it needs the courage to act.