Full Breakdown
Gianni Infantino's Remarks on British Fans and World Cup Ticket Prices Spark Controversy
1/23/2026, 6:50:35 AM
Infantino's Speech at the World Economic Forum
FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently made headlines during his speech at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, where he addressed concerns regarding the upcoming 2026 World Cup, set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In his remarks, Infantino highlighted that for the first time in World Cup history, no British nationals were arrested during the 2022 tournament in Qatar, stating, “Imagine! This is something really, really special.” However, his comments were perceived as a "cheap joke" at the expense of British football fans, prompting criticism from the Football Supporters' Association (FSA).
Response from the Football Supporters' Association
In reaction to Infantino's remarks, the FSA emphasized that rather than making jokes about British fans, Infantino should focus on providing "cheap tickets" for the upcoming tournament. The association's statement reflects growing concerns over ticket pricing, which has been a contentious issue leading up to the event.
Ticket Pricing Concerns
Infantino acknowledged the criticism surrounding ticket prices, which have been described as exorbitant. The second-cheapest category of tickets for the final is priced at $4,185 (£3,100), with only a limited number available at the lowest price of $40. Infantino admitted, “The tickets are not cheap. We were hammered. I was hammered, I should say, because of the ticket prices, because they are so expensive.” He noted that FIFA had received over 500 million requests for tickets during the recent application window, indicating significant demand.
Visa Concerns and Attendance Expectations
Addressing concerns about potential visa issues for fans, Infantino dismissed reports suggesting that fans from certain countries, including Haiti, Iran, and Senegal, might face entry restrictions into the U.S. He stated, “The United States, about Canada and about Mexico will welcome the world next summer.” Infantino expressed confidence that every match would be sold out, claiming that FIFA has received requests equivalent to “1,000 years of World Cups at once.”
Criticism and Broader Implications
Despite Infantino's optimistic outlook, his comments have drawn scrutiny, particularly regarding the implications of high ticket prices and the accessibility of the event for all fans. The FSA's call for affordable tickets underscores the ongoing tension between FIFA's commercial interests and the expectations of football supporters.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When the ball started rolling and the magic started we had virtually no incidents. For the first time in history also, no Brit was arrested during a World Cup. Imagine! This is something really, really special,” — Gianni Infantino, FIFA President
- “While we've got Mr Infantino's attention, we'd like to point out that rather than making cheap jokes about our fans, he should concentrate on making cheap tickets.” — Football Supporters' Association
- “The tickets are not cheap. We were hammered. I was hammered, I should say, because of the ticket prices, because they are so expensive. And the main critics were from Germany and England, of course. Now, No 1 in ticket requests is the US. No 2, Germany, No 3, England, because everyone wants to come and to participate.” — Gianni Infantino, FIFA President
- “The United States, about Canada and about Mexico will welcome the world next summer, and this is what we are looking forward to.” — Gianni Infantino, FIFA President
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the dialogue surrounding ticket pricing and fan accessibility remains a critical issue for FIFA and football supporters alike.
