MYTH: The host country is just the richest bidder.
FACT: While money and politics are undeniably huge factors, the process is more structured—and more controversial—than a simple auction. Countries (or groups of countries) submit detailed bids to FIFA years in advance, outlining everything from stadium infrastructure and transportation to security and human rights commitments. These bids are evaluated, and then FIFA's Council, composed of representatives from around the world, votes to select the host. In the past, this process has been plagued by allegations of corruption and vote-trading, leading to reforms aimed at increasing transparency. But the core idea is a competitive bid based on technical feasibility, not just a blank check.
MYTH: Only the best 32 (or 48) teams get to play.
FACT: The World Cup tournament is the final stage of a colossal,
multi-year global competition. Over 200 national teams from six different continental confederations (like Europe's UEFA and North America's CONCACAF) spend two to three years playing hundreds of matches to qualify. Each confederation is allotted a certain number of spots based on the relative strength of its teams. This grueling process is what makes qualifying so dramatic; giants of the sport can and do fail to make the cut. So when you see a team like Italy or the Netherlands missing from the tournament, it’s not because they weren't invited—it's because they were knocked out on the long road to get there.
MYTH: A draw is a boring, meaningless result.
FACT: In the knockout rounds, a draw is impossible—one team must advance via extra time or a penalty shootout. But in the opening group stage, a draw can be a powerful strategic result. Teams are awarded 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 for a loss. Securing a draw, especially against a much stronger opponent, earns a crucial point that can mean the difference between advancing to the next round or going home. A team might play ultra-defensively to 'play for the draw,' knowing that one point keeps their hopes alive. It’s a chess match, and sometimes not losing is just as important as winning.
MYTH: The players on the winning team get rich from prize money.
FACT: The prize money doesn't go directly into the players' pockets. FIFA awards hundreds of millions of dollars in prize money, but it's distributed to the national football federations of the participating countries. The farther a team advances, the larger the sum its federation receives. From there, it's up to each federation to decide how to use the money. This often includes paying players pre-negotiated bonuses for their participation and performance, but a significant portion is typically reinvested into the country's national soccer programs—funding youth development, coaching, and infrastructure for years to come. The World Cup, in theory, helps grow the sport globally.
MYTH: VAR (Video Assistant Referee) has eliminated all mistakes.
FACT: The Video Assistant Referee system was introduced to correct 'clear and obvious errors' made by the on-field referee in four specific situations: goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards, and mistaken identity. While VAR has successfully overturned many incorrect calls, it has also introduced a new layer of controversy. The interpretation of 'clear and obvious' remains subjective, leading to lengthy delays and debates that frustrate fans and players alike. Sometimes, a VAR review confirms a contentious call, and other times it misses an incident entirely. It's a tool designed to increase accuracy, but it has not—and likely never will—make refereeing a perfect science.
