FIFA mostly wins big but loses some trust in Qatar

DOHA, Qatar (AP):

Even before an epic final won by Lionel Messi and Argentina, FIFA president Gianni Infantino was calling it "the best World Cup ever" in Qatar.

There was clear self-interest to declare the success of a tournament that was politically fraught for most of the 12 years since the wealthy emirate was picked as host by a previous FIFA leadership broadly tainted by corruption allegations.

FIFA's fundamental role is to oversee global football's rules and make sure World Cups happen on schedule: Goal achieved, billions of dollars duly earned.

As ever with arguably the world sport's most colourful governing body, there was much else going on.

ON THE FIELD

When the games begin, focus shifts to the field, and FIFA got that early on day three when Messi and Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia 2-1 in an upset for the ages.

One day later, Germany lost to Japan and then Brazil delighted the world in their first game against Serbia. Morocco picked up the baton and was the first African or Arab nation to still be playing on the last weekend of a World Cup.

Games were consistently compelling if not the best quality. These were not vintage Spain or Netherlands teams and not even Brazil by the time of their quarter finals exit.

When the final was a true classic on Sunday, Argentina winning on penalties after a 3-3 draw, it left everyone except France feeling like they won.

POLITICS

It was a most political World Cup. Before a game was played, there was scrutiny of Qatar for their human rights record, employment practices, and a years-long boycott by neighbouring states in which FIFA pushed for the Gulf region to share the tournament.

In the final weeks of preparation, Qatar pushed back more confidently against their critics - a process FIFA joined after teams and media arrived on site.

Infantino's infamous "I feel gay, I feel a migrant worker" speech on November 19 hit many of the host nation's talking points that alleged western hypocrisy and racism.

When European women lawmakers came to games wearing the "One Love" armband, Middle East officials started sporting a Palestinian armband.

When an Italian field invader displayed European activist messages, days later, a Tunisian man did the same with a Palestinian flag.

FANS

The FIFA president is traditionally jeered at World Cup finals. It happened again on Sunday when Infantino was introduced for the trophy presentations.

Infantino also was booed when the TV broadcast showed him sitting in VVIP seats during the England-Wales game. Both countries had armband and rainbow issues with FIFA while British media extensively covered migrant labour issues.

Though Argentina and Morocco fans travelled in big numbers, fewer than expected Europeans came to Qatar. The pre-tournament target was 1.2 million international visitors, but the official total was less than 800,000 entering the final week.

Yet when thousands of Morocco fans tried to arrive for an unexpected semi-final against France last Wednesday, several flights into Doha were cancelled to limit numbers.

MORE MONEY

This was a clear win for FIFA despite a likely breach of contract issue to resolve with AB InBev.

FIFA reported higher-than-expected revenue of $7.5 billion for the four-year commercial cycle tied to Qatar's World Cup.

The World Cup was a tougher sell in the past decade when new sponsors came only from Russia and Qatar -- two often problematic host nations -- and China while prosecutors in the United States, Switzerland, and France ran corruption investigations targeting football officials.

HIGH LIFE

FIFA leaders could stay in opulent Qatari hotels that opened just in time for the World Cup.

One base was the waterside Fairmont Hotel, nearly 40 storeys high and shaped like a curved sword. It offered 18-karat gold tiles in the shower of some suites and a 56-metre (185-foot) high chandelier in the lobby.

Coupled with an unprecedented level of security at a World Cup, it added to the feel of FIFA isolating in an ivory tower.

While France's President Emmanuel Macron went for a brief walkabout at the main market in Doha, Infantino rarely met ordinary fans.