The FIFA World Cup is the biggest and most prestigious event in the world of football. Every four years, countries from around the globe come together to compete for the ultimate prize in the sport. However, behind the excitement and passion that surround the tournament, there have been controversies that have sparked debates and divided opinions among fans, players and stakeholders. In this article, we will delve into four of the most controversial issues surrounding the World Cup.

1. Corruption
Corruption is perhaps the biggest controversy that has plagued the World Cup in recent years. In 2015, the United States Department of Justice indicted and arrested several FIFA officials on charges of corruption and money laundering. These officials were accused of accepting bribes in exchange for awarding the hosting rights for the 2010, 2018 and 2022 World Cups to South Africa, Russia, and Qatar respectively. The scandal sent shockwaves across the football world and raised questions about the integrity of the decision-making process at FIFA. It also sparked widespread calls for reforms within the organization to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future.

2. Human rights violations
The World Cup is known to bring economic benefits to the host country. However, there have been serious concerns about human rights violations in the preparations for the tournament, especially in the case of Russia and Qatar. In Russia, there have been reports of forced evictions of residents to make way for new stadiums and infrastructure. Moreover, there have been allegations of exploitation and abuse of migrant workers who are building the World Cup facilities in Qatar. These violations have drawn attention to the need for FIFA to consider human rights as a key factor when awarding hosting rights to countries.

3. Exploitation of host countries
Hosting the World Cup requires a significant investment in terms of infrastructure development and security measures. The burden falls on the host country to foot the bill, which can often lead to overspending and financial strain. This was the case for Brazil, who hosted the 2014 World Cup. The country spent over $15 billion on the tournament, which sparked protests from citizens who felt that the money could have been better utilized on improving public services. Similar protests have occurred in other host countries in the past, raising questions about the priorities of FIFA and whether the economic benefits truly outweigh the costs for the host country.

4. Racism and discrimination
Despite efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in football, racism and discrimination still rear their ugly heads at major tournaments like the World Cup. In the 2018 World Cup, there were numerous incidents of racial abuse directed towards players from African and Middle Eastern countries. These incidents highlight the underlying issues of discrimination that still exist in football and the need for stricter measures to combat them. In response, FIFA has launched campaigns to promote anti-racism and anti-discrimination in the sport, but more needs to be done to eradicate these issues completely.

In conclusion, while the World Cup is a celebration of the beautiful game, it is not without its controversies. From corruption to human rights violations, the tournament has faced many challenges over the years. It is essential for FIFA and other stakeholders to address these controversies and work towards making the World Cup a fair and inclusive event for all. As fans, we can also play our part by voicing our concerns and holding organizations accountable for their actions. Only by acknowledging and addressing these controversies can we ensure that the World Cup remains the symbol of unity and passion it was meant to be.