2026 World Cup: Gianni Infantino and FIFA Still in the Crosshairs—Fans Furious Over the Latest Stunt

There’s no doubt that the 2026 World Cup was not only the one with the most matches (a total of 102 played, with two remaining), but also the one most talked about for issues not directly related to the field. Critics have primarily targeted FIFA and its top official, Gianni Infantino, who found themselves in the eye of the storm this time for promoting the option to purchase a seat at the pre-final press conference for $80 (about 69 euros).

The initiative immediately sparked discontent, turning a media event into a political-sports controversy. The press conference, hosted at the Javits Center in New York and organized by one of the event’s sponsors, is expected to draw hundreds of fans, but access will be granted only to those who purchase a ticket for the event—which includes the opportunity to witness firsthand the dialogue between the media, representatives of the two finalists, and Infantino himself, who is billed as a “special guest.”

The paradox, according to critics, is that this is still a press conference—an event that is traditionally free and reserved for the media. The organizers have defended the initiative, explaining that the ticket grants access to a series of events featuring superstars from various sports, such as LeBron James and Novak Djokovic, but FIFA’s active involvement—and especially the decision to tie the finalists’ press conference to a paid ticket—has fueled the perception that the World Cup is increasingly being transformed into a massive commercial spectacle.

The battleground, as has become the modern tradition, is social media, with fans around the world accusing FIFA of wanting to monetize every moment of the World Cup. “They’ve turned soccer into an amusement park where the sport is just a backdrop,” “This is yet another decision that pushes fans away instead of bringing them closer”—these are just two examples of what can be read in the comments on the news story.

This widespread discontent adds to the criticism that erupted before and during the tournament and confirms a now-obvious trend: every move by FIFA and every word from Gianni Infantino becomes a major issue and adds fuel to the fire of a World Cup that is coming to an end but continues to divide opinion.