Overview
- The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada has seen staggered ticket sales and dynamic pricing that pushed many prices higher and left some stadiums with empty seats.
- Critics say those pricing practices reflect a stronger focus on raising FIFA revenue under President Gianni Infantino rather than improving fan affordability and access.
- Infantino’s record — including a widely quoted 2022 remark about feeling ‘Qatari’ and reports of a secret 2020 meeting with the Swiss attorney general — continues to fuel concerns about his leadership and decision-making.
- Operational problems and political fallout have surfaced during the tournament preparation, including a Somali referee being barred from U.S. entry and teams facing visa and training disruptions.
- The combination of pricing, operational failures and prior host awards to Qatar and Saudi Arabia has renewed calls for clearer governance, greater transparency and scrutiny of FIFA’s priorities.