FIFA Under Fire for Prioritizing Money Over Football's Traditional Format

FIFA faces criticism for allegedly compromising football's traditional structure in favor of commercial interests, with matches now being played in four quarters instead of the traditional two halves. The debate intensified during Germany's match against Curaçao, where the small island nation's equalizing goal to make it 1-1 created a moment of euphoria that highlighted football's emotional appeal. Critics argue that such format changes prioritize television revenue and advertising opportunities over the sport's integrity and natural flow. The shift represents a broader concern among football purists that FIFA's commercial decisions are fundamentally altering the game's character and undermining the traditional elements that make football compelling for fans worldwide.