South Africa’s most successful player and Bafana Bafana’s record goalscorer, Benni McCarthy, has weighed in on the conflict in the Middle East sparked by the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which is likely to have a ripple effect on the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
McCarthy, who has established himself as one of the most outspoken personalities, believes that Fifa should have moved the World Cup to another host country.
The former goal poacher spoke to Sunday World in an exclusive interview this week.
“This is not my department, but it is just very hard. People are thinking about doing a countdown, 100 days before the World Cup. I think that Fifa really needs to have a hard look at itself and see how it can make things a bit easier. They should have taken a different destination to host the World Cup. There are just too many things going on in the US. In Mexico as well, there are cartels, dangerous gangs and
other things,” said McCarthy, who scored South Africa’s first goal at a Fifa World Cup.
McCarthy’s comments come against the background of a joint US-Israeli offensive last week against Iran, weeks after a military build-up and threats from American President Donald Trump. These attacks have particularly plunged the Middle East into renewed turmoil.
Flight cancellations have affected people who transit through the biggest travel hubs in the region, leaving many stranded at airport lounges and others stuck in hotels in foreign countries with no definitive indication of when they will be cleared to travel back home.
With only four months before the World Cup kicks off, there is uncertainty and fear over the looming sporting spectacle that is to be co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada. There are also fears that rising cartel conflicts, gangster territory wars, and kidnappings are escalating in Mexico, which could pose significant safety risks for fans and players attending the World Cup.
Football’s biggest showpiece is rapidly approaching, and supporters have already booked their flights.
“It’s a big concern, and as much as you want to look forward to the World Cup, you cannot exclude what is happening. A lot of people, a lot of innocent children, are being killed and losing their lives because of these unnecessary wars.
“You are now left asking what is going to happen to the fans and teams when they are there, when all these are happening before it even starts. A lot of places in the world have been shut down. It is cheaper to travel and transit via the Middle East, and it will be interesting to see what will happen,” added the only South African to have won the Uefa Champions League.
McCarthy, who also played for top European clubs such as Ajax Amsterdam, FC Porto, Celta Vigo, Blackburn Rovers, and West Ham, wants an end to the war and to celebrate the coming big soccer event.
“For me the biggest thing is if we can put an end to the war because these people who are killed are innocent; they are killed over what? We are losing lives over power – it makes no sense. We should be focusing on celebrating what is coming and not fighting, killing and making the world an unsafe place – that is my stance on this matter.”
