With less than 200 days until the 2026 World Cup kicks off, FIFA has faced widespread criticism on social media over a promotional poster, subsequently deleting the content quietly.
The poster was originally designed to promote the World Cup group stage draw, featuring representative players from 42 teams that have already qualified directly. Argentina was represented by Lionel Messi, France by Kylian Mbappé, England by Harry Kane, and Norway by Erling Haaland. However, in the Portugal section, the player featured was not Cristiano Ronaldo but Bruno Fernandes.
After the poster was released, many fans expressed their dissatisfaction in the comment section. Some emphasized Ronaldo’s status and influence in the national team, while others questioned FIFA for ignoring Ronaldo and favoring Messi. As discussions escalated, FIFA later deleted the poster without providing a public explanation.
As planned, the 2026 World Cup group stage draw will be held in Washington, D.C., USA on December 5. Co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Currently, numerous teams from Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, and Concacaf have secured their spots in advance.
