FIFA President Gianni Infantino faced a sharp rebuke from fan organizations after joking about the lack of British arrests in Qatar while simultaneously defending a controversial ticket pricing strategy for the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has sparked criticism from supporters’ groups after using a speech at the World Economic Forum to joke about the behavior of British fans while defending the commercial structure of the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
Attempting to dismiss concerns over high ticket prices and logistical challenges in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Infantino referenced the 2022 tournament in Qatar, noting that “when the ball started rolling and the magic started we had virtually no incidents.”
He specifically targeted England and Wales supporters with a jibe, stating, “For the first time in history also, no Brit was arrested during a World Cup. Imagine! This is something really, really special.”
The Football Supporters Association (FSA) quickly condemned the remarks, arguing that “rather than making cheap jokes about our fans, he should concentrate on making cheap tickets.”
The controversy follows a significant “climbdown” by FIFA, which was forced to introduce a limited £45 tier for fans after initial pricing structures represented a nearly 500 percent increase from previous tournaments.
Despite this adjustment, fans remain frustrated that the affordable allocation remains less than one percent of stadium capacity while FIFA is projected to generate nearly £10 billion in revenue for the current cycle.