EL SALVADOR, July 13— The millions in profits, the racism, xenophobia, and violence surrounding the World Cup highlight how capitalism has turned the world’s most popular sport into a massive business.
“Soccer began as a popular game that brought together people from different countries and cultures. For ninety minutes, millions of workers forget the fatigue and hardships of daily life to share a common thrill with family and friends. However, under capitalism, that collective passion has been turned into a massive business,” says D.
“Access to the spectacle is becoming increasingly unequal. Exorbitantly priced tickets, exclusive areas for sponsors, and an industry designed for constant consumption show that the fan is no longer the focus but has become a consumer,” added E.
“The so-called ‘hydration breaks’ are a clear example of how capitalism transforms even playing time into a commodity,” noted A.
In the US alone, it is estimated that television networks could earn between five and six hundred million dollars thanks to these breaks, which add up to six minutes of advertising per game. Although protecting players’ health may be a real necessity, capitalism turns even these moments into new business opportunities.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup once again demonstrates that soccer moves immense amounts of money. Broadcasting rights, sponsorships, advertising, tourism, sports betting, and merchandise sales generate billions of dollars around a tournament that belongs emotionally to the people, but economically to large corporations.
But business isn’t the only dark side of the World Cup.
During the group stage, FIFA itself reported that its monitoring system detected more than 89,000 offensive posts directed at players, coaches, and national teams. More than 11% contained racist slurs.
Controversial refereeing calls also fueled the debate. After the match between Argentina and Egypt, coach Hossam Hassan made the “X” gesture established by FIFA to trigger its anti-racism protocol. However, the protocol was not triggered. The coach ended up receiving a yellow card. He later criticized the refereeing. The controversy reignited the debate over impartiality, unequal treatment of certain national teams, and the enforcement of anti-discrimination measures.
This racism doesn’t happen spontaneously. Capitalism has historically divided workers along lines of skin color, nationality, or origin to justify inequalities and weaken their unity.
Violence was also present. The celebrations following Mexico’s victory left five people dead. Other violent incidents occurred during the festivities.
These tragedies force us to ask: What kind of celebration has capitalism built around sports?
The greater the fanaticism, the higher the sales of jerseys, beverages, betting, subscriptions, and advertising. Public enthusiasm ends up being exploited just like any other commodity. The problem is not football, but a system that turns every human activity into a source of profit.
What would sports be like in a communist society?
Sports would continue to be an important part of social life, but they would no longer be a commodity. Their primary goal would no longer be to generate profits for sponsors, television networks, or business owners, but to contribute to physical development, health, culture, and collective well-being.
Sports would be accessible to everyone from childhood onward. Neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces would have adequate facilities so that anyone could participate in sports. Not just those who can afford it or aspire to a professional career. There would no longer be “stars” turned into commodities who generate fortunes through advertising and sponsorship.
Sports would no longer be organized to fuel consumerism or fanaticism. Rather, it would strengthen solidarity, cooperation, and camaraderie among the working class. It would cease to serve capital and instead serve the collective interests of the working masses.
Read Mobilize the Masses for Communism here
Read letters to Red Flag about FIFA here