The countdown is almost over. This Thursday, June 11, 2026, the Football World Cup officially opens in the United States, Mexico and Canada for more than a month of competition. French television channels are preparing to cover one of the most followed sporting events on the planet, while the supporters impatiently await the entry of the Blues into the running. However, even before the first whistle, the news around the World Cup is not limited to the field. In an interview given to 20 Minutes on June 10, 2026, Marie Portolano also believes that this edition is starting in a particular climate. The journalist notably mentions several controversies surrounding the organization of the competition and goes so far as to declare: “I really have the feeling that this World Cup represents the end of progressivism.” A strong statement on the eve of a tournament which already promises to provoke a reaction well beyond the simple sporting framework.
Marie Portolano monte au créneau
It is above all the question of the representation of women in the sports media which pushed Marie Portolano to break the silence. In a column published by Libération on June 10, 2026, the former sports journalist was alarmed by the low number of women sent there to cover the competition. According to the figures cited, only ten women appear among the 150 accredited French journalists. An observation that deeply shocked her. “Out of these 150 journalists, there are 10 women”she wrote before becoming indignant: “Only 6% women? Inconceivable. Not in 2026 (…) not after everything we have done.” The journalist also points out the situation in the specialized written press, where the female presence is even weaker. In his column published by Libération on June 10, 2026, she denounced: “The two female journalists dispatched to the site are journalists from Agence France-Presse and Libération. Two less ‘specialist’ media, shall we say. No, when it comes to the specialized press, we women simply do not exist.” Then questioned by 20 Minutes the same day, Marie Portolano explained that she had received several testimonies from sports journalists who wanted to cover the World Cup but were not accepted. Faced with the arguments often put forward by certain editorial staff, she believes that“you have to say if you are disturbing” and calls for no longer considering this situation as normal.
The other controversy that is panicking the Web
In addition to this controversy, another debate has been animating social networks for several weeks: the presence of YouTuber Michou in the system set up by M6 to cover the World Cup. As explained France Info on May 11, 2026, the content creator with millions of subscribers will not be sent there as a sports journalist but to share his experience of supporting through vlogs, lives and content intended for his audience. A decision which was not unanimous in the media community. Faced with criticism, Michou wanted to clarify his mission by declaring: “I’m not taking anyone’s place. There are plenty of football reporters planned. I’m just coming to share with you behind the scenes from my point of view.” Despite this clarification, several professionals have questioned the growing role of influencers in the coverage of major events.
