Former Germany captain and 2014 World Cup winner Philipp Lahm has launched a scathing attack on FIFA President Gianni Infantino, accusing him of selling out the World Cup and undermining football's credibility. In a column for German newspaper Die Zeit, Lahm wrote that the tournament is being commodified at the expense of fans and players.
Lahm Condemns High Ticket Prices and Lack of Transparency
Lahm specifically criticised the ticket pricing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He stated that FIFA is not providing honest figures about actual demand and is using the tournament to maximise revenue. "The World Cup is being sold out," Lahm wrote, as quoted by ESPN. "This robs football of its credibility. As a result, fans are uneasy. It's becoming increasingly difficult for them to separate FIFA from the event itself."
The German legend also expressed irritation at the recurring suggestion to host the World Cup every two years, arguing that such a schedule would diminish the tournament's impact. "A tournament needs preparation and follow-up to have a lasting impact," he added.
Expanded Club World Cup and Player Welfare Concerns
Lahm also slammed the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which grew from seven to 32 teams last year. He argued that the increased number of matches places an excessive burden on players' fitness and well-being. The former Bayern Munich star has been a vocal advocate for player welfare, and his comments align with growing concerns from players' unions and coaches about congested fixture calendars.
Despite his criticisms, Lahm acknowledged that FIFA has made some positive changes. He praised the expansion of the ongoing World Cup to 48 teams, noting that it has created inspiring stories from nations like Curacao, Cape Verde, Scotland, and DR Congo. "FIFA is doing a lot of things right," he conceded.
Previous Criticism of Infantino
This is not the first time Lahm has taken aim at Infantino. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Lahm called out the FIFA president for lacking integrity, particularly regarding human rights issues and the tournament's bidding process. Lahm's latest remarks come amid ongoing debates about FIFA's governance and commercialisation of football's flagship event.
The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams for the first time, with 104 matches scheduled across three countries. Ticket prices have been a point of contention, with some fans and advocacy groups arguing that they exclude lower-income supporters. FIFA has defended its pricing strategy, stating that it aims to balance accessibility with revenue generation to fund global football development.
