In June 2025, FIFA’s Club World Cup welcomed the world’s top soccer clubs to the United States in what was to be for an international sporting extravaganza. It turned out to be instead the source of controversy over FIFA decided to tone down its anti-racism messages, saying it didn’t want to offend anyone. With the Trump administration’s renewed bid against diversity and immigration programs. They were taken aback to see immigration enforcement agencies like ICE and CBP at arenas, reminding foreign-born fans of the need for legal papers. It wasn’t just a tournament; it was political theatre. It reminded everyone that sports are not neutral—they are political in their nature.
It isn’t new. Sports have been employed over time to project power, promote values, and sometimes repress dissent. The 1968 Olympics saw fists raised on the podium. Muhammad Ali refused to be drafted for a war he did not believe in. Players in leagues more recently knelt during national anthems to protest police brutality. When FIFA removed the phrase “Say No to Racism” from LED boards and pre-game ceremonies, it was not a political move—it was a politically charged move. It conveyed a message, intentionally or not, about whose voices matter and whose do not. Even player unions like FIFPRO were shocked that the expanded Club World Cup placed profit over players’ welfare, yet again revealing the politicized undertones of labor exploitation at the elite sport level.
Athletes have increasingly served as moral guides when institutions fail. Dodgers outfielder Kiké Hernández condemned the treatment of immigrants. Angel City FC, a National Women’s Soccer League team, took the field wearing “Immigrant City Football Club” jerseys. And overseas, players such as Vinícius Júnior have taken up anti-racism campaigns with both courage and clarity. These acts prove that athletes are not just performers—they’re also leaders, champions, and voices of resistance.
Sports teams are grounded in communities. They are a reflection of the fans who support them, of their values and struggles, and of their aspirations. To say that they are—or should be—apolitical is to undermine their potential and strength. Whether by advancing the rights of immigrants, fighting racism, or demanding decent labor practices, sports and the people who make them great have a huge contribution to make towards a just society.
It’s time we brought an end to the farce that sports can or ought to be apolitical. Fans must demand that teams and leagues take meaningful positions. Institutions like FIFA must prioritize principle over pandering. And players should continue speaking out from their platforms courageously and responsibly. Because when sports stand quiet in the face of injustice, they don’t stay neutral—they get complicit.