Fifa is preparing to launch the most expensive World Cup ever in 2026, a reality that is provoking outrage among fans and football experts. Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa, has already announced that it will be the best World Cup ever, but this title promises to be marked by another statistic: the astronomical costs for fans wishing to follow their national team to the final, with prices ranging between $10,000 and $35,000 – covering tickets, transportation, accommodation, and other expenses. This price surge raises the fundamental question: for whom does this World Cup really exist?
In the latest episode of the Copa Independent podcast, a deep analysis reveals the intricacies of this exorbitant price increase and questions the criteria behind Fifa’s decisions. How did the governing body of football, which should protect the game and its fans, allow the event to become an almost exclusive product for an economic elite? Although Fifa does not directly set the cost of all elements, such as train tickets within the host cities, these are a direct consequence of the unequal agreements the organization has established with the host municipalities, further amplifying the financial impact on fans.
Lawrence Ostlere, chief sports journalist, leads a discussion with Miguel Delaney and Kieran Jackson, senior football writers, where they debate the deep ideological divide that runs through modern football. On one side is the European and British model that sees the sport as a cultural asset to be preserved; on the other is the North American model that turns sport into a mere commodity for entertainment. FIFA, clearly leaning towards the latter, is aligning itself with commercial interests that could jeopardize the future of football passion.
The controversy does not end there: questions are raised about the influence of Gianni Infantino’s inner circle, particularly his relationship with figures like former US President Donald Trump, in consolidating a consumerist logic that threatens to alienate traditional fans. For true supporters, this transformation is a harsh blow. Thomas Concannon from the Football Supporters Association warns of the devastating consequences for fan communities, who see access to the World Cup becoming an increasingly restricted privilege.
The 2026 World Cup will not only be the most expensive ever – it could be the turning point that highlights FIFA’s crisis as the guardian of global football. If prohibitive prices persist, the game risks becoming a commercial extravaganza, alienating those who have always made football the greatest celebration on the planet. This is the great betrayal of modern football: the loss of its audience, the beating heart of the sport, in the name of excessive profits and obscure economic interests. Prepare for a World Cup that promises to be historic, but not for the reasons that true football lovers would wish.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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