Fifa's World Cup Fiasco: The Unaffordable Luxury of Global Sports Elites
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, fans are bracing themselves for another exercise in financial extortion. The latest ticket price bombshell – with the cheapest seat now costing £3,120 for the US final, seven times more than last year's Qatar tournament – has left many wondering if Fifa's obsession with hosting the event in autocracies is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to line its own pockets.
The reality is that Fifa's governing body is now an effective autocracy, beholden to powerful interests and willing to crush dissenting voices. The corporation's ties with global strongmen like Vladimir Putin and Recep Erdoğan have come under scrutiny in recent years, but it appears the organisation's leadership has taken a more pragmatic approach.
Gianni Infantino, Fifa president since 2016, has cultivated relationships with authoritarian leaders in an effort to tap into their influence and financial backing. Trump's bromance with Infantino is a striking example of this strategy, one that has earned him regular spots at the Oval Office and other high-profile gatherings.
However, this Faustian bargain comes at a steep price for Fifa's fans. The organisation's increasing disregard for human rights and public opinion has created an environment where dissenting voices are suppressed, and fan interests are ignored. As Marina Hyde astutely observes, Fifa's actions have become indistinguishable from those of the very autocrats it claims to condemn.
The World Cup draw event this week provided a revealing glimpse into this world. When Trump suggested that the NFL change its name to "this is football," Infantino seemed more interested in rubbing shoulders with his friend than engaging with genuine concerns about fan representation. The Fifa peace prize, which Infantino recently awarded to Trump, has become a hollow gesture, one that reinforces the notion that the organisation's loyalty lies with global power brokers rather than its fans.
The World Cup has always been an event that transcends borders and ideologies. Yet, as it approaches, it's clear that Fifa has lost sight of this fundamental purpose. Instead of prioritising fan welfare or addressing pressing social issues, the corporation is more concerned with securing lucrative sponsorships and cementing its influence in global politics.
Fans are left to absorb the bitter pill: a World Cup ticket now costs an unaffordable luxury, available only to those who can afford it. As Marina Hyde so aptly puts it, "the peasants – the fans – just have to suck it up."
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, fans are bracing themselves for another exercise in financial extortion. The latest ticket price bombshell – with the cheapest seat now costing £3,120 for the US final, seven times more than last year's Qatar tournament – has left many wondering if Fifa's obsession with hosting the event in autocracies is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to line its own pockets.
The reality is that Fifa's governing body is now an effective autocracy, beholden to powerful interests and willing to crush dissenting voices. The corporation's ties with global strongmen like Vladimir Putin and Recep Erdoğan have come under scrutiny in recent years, but it appears the organisation's leadership has taken a more pragmatic approach.
Gianni Infantino, Fifa president since 2016, has cultivated relationships with authoritarian leaders in an effort to tap into their influence and financial backing. Trump's bromance with Infantino is a striking example of this strategy, one that has earned him regular spots at the Oval Office and other high-profile gatherings.
However, this Faustian bargain comes at a steep price for Fifa's fans. The organisation's increasing disregard for human rights and public opinion has created an environment where dissenting voices are suppressed, and fan interests are ignored. As Marina Hyde astutely observes, Fifa's actions have become indistinguishable from those of the very autocrats it claims to condemn.
The World Cup draw event this week provided a revealing glimpse into this world. When Trump suggested that the NFL change its name to "this is football," Infantino seemed more interested in rubbing shoulders with his friend than engaging with genuine concerns about fan representation. The Fifa peace prize, which Infantino recently awarded to Trump, has become a hollow gesture, one that reinforces the notion that the organisation's loyalty lies with global power brokers rather than its fans.
The World Cup has always been an event that transcends borders and ideologies. Yet, as it approaches, it's clear that Fifa has lost sight of this fundamental purpose. Instead of prioritising fan welfare or addressing pressing social issues, the corporation is more concerned with securing lucrative sponsorships and cementing its influence in global politics.
Fans are left to absorb the bitter pill: a World Cup ticket now costs an unaffordable luxury, available only to those who can afford it. As Marina Hyde so aptly puts it, "the peasants – the fans – just have to suck it up."
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It's like Fifa has totally forgotten that this is supposed to be a celebration of football for EVERYONE, not just those with deep pockets. I mean, £3,120 is absolutely mental – what's next, sky-high prices for air and water? 
It's all about the benjamins for these autocratic leaders and their buddies... Infantino's more interested in being BFFs with Trump than listening to fans' concerns 
. And don't even get me started on that peace prize – a hollow gesture if I ever saw one 
. Like, how are regular people supposed to afford that kind of cash? It's insane! I was looking forward to attending the US final with my friends, but now I guess we're just gonna have to suck it up... literally 
fifa needs to get its priorities straight they're all about lining their own pockets instead of looking out for the fans...i mean what's the point of even having a tournament if people can't afford to attend? 
. It's like they're more interested in rubbin' shoulders with their rich mates than listenin' to what normal people think. I swear, Fifa's lost all sense of decency.
. And honestly, who needs the peace prize from Trump anyway? 
The whole thing is just a joke, right? Who needs fairness or transparency when you've got deep pockets and powerful friends? 
The whole thing just reeks of corruption and elitism.
but seriously tho, £3,120 is INSANE! Did you see that chart from a 5-year comparison of ticket prices? It's like Fifa is pricing us out of our own event 
. In 2010, the average ticket price was around $150; now it's over $300. Meanwhile, Putin's been getting away with some shady deals behind the scenes 
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! That's like, a 7x increase from last year! The prices are insane and I think we're seeing a clear sign of Fifa's priorities all wrong. Like, what happened to the fans? Where's the affordable options for everyday people? 
. Like, what's going on there? Are they really more concerned with rubbing shoulders than listening to fan concerns? 
. It's all about lining FIFA's pockets and kissing up to global strongmen 
. Meanwhile, human rights and fan interests are ignored 
. Can't they see how ridiculous this is?! 
3k for a seat at the final? that's just insane! and what really gets my goat is how infantino just plays along with trump and other global strongmen without even pretending to care about the fans' interests. it's like he's just pawning us off on these powerful folks like we're nothing more than sacrificial lambs 
?
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. Until then, I'll just be over here, stuck in the middle of this financial extortion racket 
infantino's getting along with world leaders is part of being president 
and btw £3k for a ticket? that's just the market price now 
you're complaining because you can't afford it 
just get a better job or save up