An estimated 1.5 billion viewers watched Argentina captain Lionel Messi lift the World Cup trophy at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup. The final between Argentina and France is considered by many to be one of the greatest matches in modern football history. From Messi’s epic rise to stardom to Kylian Mbappe’s brilliant performance, the tournament has been ranked among the best finals in history. But the controversy surrounding the tournament has not stopped to this day. The Qatar World Cup has been widely criticized for its human rights record, the situation of migrant workers and restrictions on gay rights. FIFA has been accused of using major sporting events for ‘sportswashing’.
In continuation of this, a new controversy has arisen around the 2026 World Cup. The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, has already raised the curtain. But even before the start of the tournament, FIFA’s decisions have raised questions among fans and analysts around the world. Many have described the World Cup as FIFA’s main weapon for business. It is probably not wrong to call it FIFA’s ‘trade fair’.Advertisement
FIFA has increased the number of teams in this year’s World Cup from 32 to 48. The number of matches has increased, the tournament has become longer and the organization has become more complex. In addition, for the first time, a halftime show has been added to the final, where international musicians will perform. According to critics, these changes emphasize the commercial aspect rather than the beauty of the game of football. They claim that the World Cup is now gradually becoming an entertainment product.
The biggest controversy has been over ticket prices. For the first time, FIFA has taken direct control of ticket sales and introduced ‘dynamic pricing’ and resale fees. Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has complained that many ordinary spectators are now being deprived of the pleasure of watching the World Cup. While the cheapest ticket for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was $55, it has been claimed that in many cases it has reached almost $560 for the 2026 World Cup.
Not just tickets; the cost of travel, hotels and other expenses to attend a match is now beyond the reach of the common man. According to analysts and fans, the real strength of the World Cup has always been the atmosphere in the stadium; the songs, flags and emotions of the spectators from different countries. But due to the high price, those real fans are now staying away from the stadium. According to FSE director Ronan Even, ‘Many people are being deprived of watching the World Cup simply for financial reasons. Even those who buy tickets are under pressure.’ They claim that the World Cup is now becoming an event where corporate guests and high-class spectators dominate.
Political issues surrounding the 2026 World Cup have also raised concerns. There are concerns that fans from certain countries will not be able to attend stadiums due to strict visa and immigration policies in some countries. Travel could become complicated, especially for fans from some participating countries, which many believe conflicts with the World Cup’s concept of ‘global unity’.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino rejected the criticism, saying that ticket prices are set according to the market realities of the entertainment industry in the current world. He claimed that FIFA is a non-profit organization and all income earned from the World Cup is spent on the development of football. According to FIFA’s calculations, the 2026 World Cup could generate about $3.9 billion in broadcasting rights revenue, which is significantly more than before.
According to experts, modern football has now become a complete ‘industrial system’. Big clubs now employ 30 to 50 data analysts and players are under more pressure than ever before. As a result, players are entering the World Cup exhausted, which many believe is affecting the quality and intensity of the game. Multiple surveys have shown that many spectators in the United States are not interested in the World Cup and a large proportion of them do not plan to watch the matches. According to analysts, FIFA is pushing away old and dedicated fans while trying to attract new viewers.
FIFA’s revenue and commercial success are at an all-time high. The 48-team World Cup is set to become the biggest and most profitable sporting event in history. But the question remains: what is the true value of this huge success if football loses its passion, beauty and fans? Is the World Cup still a symbol of ‘The Beautiful Game’, or has it become just another giant commercial arena?
