Published on 6/26/2026
The 2026 World Cup witnessed a tribute from the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) towards the veteran German sports journalist, Hartmut Scherzer, in appreciation of his long career and amazing continuity in covering the most prominent football event in the world.
However, this honor quickly turned into a subject of ridicule and criticism by fans on social media platforms, due to the nature of the gift presented.
Read also
list of 2 itemsend of list
Timo and Walmart’s gift raises controversy
Before the start of the match between Germany and Ecuador at New York, New Jersey, the FIFA Media Relations Department presented a miniature World Cup replica of Scherzer in recognition of his exceptional achievement. The official FIFA account on the X platform published a picture of the veteran journalist sitting holding his pen and notebook with the small figure next to him.
Despite the great moral value of the gesture, the pioneers of social media platforms directed their anger at FIFA, considering the gift not befitting the size of the giving made by Scherzer.
One fan commented sarcastically: “I bought a similar figure from the Temu website for only $8.99, and I have never attended a World Cup in my life!”
Another added: “Oh FIFA, these products are sold everywhere. You should have presented something more distinctive and symbolic.” While a third follower wrote: “You can buy this same mini cup from Walmart, and it’s not even the larger version that costs $40. FIFA is being very stingy here.”
A journey that began in the era of Pele and Maradona
Scherzer (88 years old) is considered one of the legends of sports journalism. He recorded his first attendance at the World Cup finals in 1962 in Chile, a tournament that witnessed the brilliance of the legends Pele and Garrincha and their leadership of Brazil to glory, while the German star Uwe Seeler was imprinted on his international presence.
Four years later, the journalist witnessed West Germany’s historic loss to England, led by Bobby Charlton, in the 1966 World Cup.
The current 2026 World Cup in North America represents the 17th trip in Scherzer’s World Cup career, adding to a track record that includes covering 33 editions of the Tour de France and 21 Olympic Games.
In a previous interview, Scherzer confirmed that his two favorite tournaments are the World Cup in his country (whether in 1974 or 2006) and the World Cup in Mexico in 1986, which witnessed the creativity of the late Diego Maradona.
