Fifa has a problem. A big one. Fans are angry. The cause? Overcrowding on concourses at World Cup venues. Sources close to the organising committee say safety concerns are mounting. One insider described the situation as 'a ticking time bomb.'
The trouble began during the group stage. Reports of dangerously packed walkways emerged from multiple stadiums. In Lusail, thousands of supporters were left queuing for 90 minutes just to reach their seats. In Al Bayt, a crush near the turnstiles sparked panic. No injuries, officials insist. But the footage tells a different story.
Fifa's response? Weasel words. 'We are monitoring the situation,' they said. 'Fan safety is our priority.' That line is wearing thin. Behind the scenes, I am told, the real fear is reputational damage. This is a tournament built on borrowed time and political capital. Any hint of disaster could unravel everything.
The backbench grumbling has started. MPs are demanding answers. Labour's shadow sports minister has called for an urgent statement. The government is nervous. This is not just Fifa's problem. It is a diplomatic headache for Downing Street too.
The key question: Who is to blame? Fifa points at local organisers. Local organisers point at Fifa's ticketing system. The truth? Both. The greed is transparent. Sell more tickets than capacity by cramming them in. The maths does not lie. Fifa sold 3.4 million tickets for a tournament with 2.8 million seats. That arithmetic is a disaster waiting to happen.
But here is the real game. This is about power. Fifa president Gianni Infantino is fighting to keep his throne. A safety scandal could hand ammunition to his rivals. The backroom briefings have already started. Sources close to the Asian Football Confederation say they are 'monitoring the situation.' Translation: They are sharpening their knives.
What next? Expect a raft of safety directives from Fifa in the next 48 hours. A task force will be announced. Blame will be shifted. The fans, as always, will bear the cost. But the anger is real. On social media, the hashtag #FifaFail is trending. In the stands, tensions are high. One more incident, and the dam could break.
Eleanor Rigby, Political Bureau Chief in Doha
