Overview
- Speaking at the World Economic Forum, FIFA president Gianni Infantino claimed Qatar 2022 was the first World Cup with no British fan arrests.
- UK football policing lead Chief Constable Mark Roberts called the remark neither helpful nor accurate and noted British fans have had low arrest numbers at recent World Cups.
- The Football Supporters’ Association criticized the jibe and pressed FIFA to prioritize affordable access over rhetoric.
- FIFA defends steep 2026 prices by citing over 500 million ticket requests and has kept a limited $60 supporter tier routed through national federations that accounts for a small share of seats.
- Resale scrutiny has intensified with FIFA’s marketplace showing extreme listings, including a World Cup final ticket at $230,000, and a 30% cut flowing to FIFA under the new North American policy.