World Cup Report Card: Infantino Flunks While Stars Rise

The World Cup is officially over, and it's time to hand out some final grades. From the stunning runs of underdogs to the familiar dominance of favorites, the past month gave us plenty to dissect. But one grade stands out above all others: FIFA President Gianni Infantino flunks with an F.

The tournament itself

The 2022 edition was a tournament of firsts. It brought football to the Middle East for the first time, delivered a winter schedule that disrupted club seasons, and produced a knockout stage full of drama. The group stage saw Saudi Arabia stun Argentina, Japan top a group with Germany and Spain, and Morocco become the first African side to reach the semifinals. On the pitch, the football was thrilling. Off it, questions lingered.

Grading the teams

Argentina's Lionel Messi finally lifted the trophy, earning an A for his team's resilience. France nearly repeated but fell short in a final for the ages — a solid A- for Didier Deschamps' side. Morocco's historic run gets an A+ for rewriting history. Meanwhile, Belgium, Germany, and Uruguay floundered early, earning them D's. The real story, however, was the man running the show in Zurich.

The Infantino factor

Gianni Infantino's grade is an F — and that's being generous. From pre-tournament comments about migrant workers to an infamous speech about feeling "extremely proud" as a "white guy" and a "black guy," his leadership became a distraction. The tournament itself was well-organized, but the blunders from the top office soured the narrative. For a tournament that was supposed to unite the world, Infantino often divided it. His grade reflects not just his words, but a lack of accountability that has plagued FIFA for years.

What it means

As the football world turns its eyes to 2026, when the tournament expands to 48 teams and will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, these grades serve as a warning. The North American audience is passionate but also unforgiving. If Infantino fails to learn from this report card, the next World Cup could be his final test.