‘FIFA is not ready to manage world football’, is the decision of the FSE for the 2026 World Cup
July 22 – Europe’s leading supporters’ group has criticized FIFA for “a World Cup that has failed fans”, calling it “rampant exploitation of fans” and questioning FIFA’s suitability to govern.
High ticket prices, immigration, trade breaks and political interference have disrupted the 2026 World Cup, which concluded on Sunday with Spain winning its second world title after a 1-0 victory in the final of the tournament in New Jersey.
The dust of the finals, however, is yet to heat up and Football Supporters Europe (FSE) strongly criticizes FIFA for the way it conducted the tournament and the lack of proper management in the world federation, saying that the World Cup “has become an example of what is wrong in football today.”
In a statement, FSE said: “From the beginning, fans have been asked to put their trust in FIFA and ‘cool down’, but it has prioritized spectacle and sales over a game of travel that aligns with the fundamentals of football ownership. In the past month, we have seen football change in the direction that Gianni Infantino and the Trump administration want.”
“Increasing exploitation of fan loyalty in ticket pricing processes, match ticket sales, increased travel costs, violations of rules and procedures, exclusion of many people from the world, and lack of transparent communication, all of this has created an atmosphere of confusion and mistrust that has seriously damaged the reputation of the World Cup, FIFA, and the World Cup as a whole.”
FSE highlighted how fans are becoming, more than ever, a source of income during the most expensive World Cup, with ticket prices reaching $33,000, car parking costing hundreds of dollars and even a beer usually setting fans back $20. The FSE said: “FIFA has forced the loyalty of fans to break historically high ticket prices.”
The fan group also highlighted that FIFA’s promise to bring everyone together for the World Cup has not been fulfilled. The FSE said: “FIFA’s claim of a ‘world cup championship’ has not happened.” Fans, officials, journalists, and even family members from several countries were barred from entering the US during the tournament due to visa regulations.”
Iran’s national team endured abhorrent treatment by FIFA and US authorities while top African referee Omar Artan was sent back across the border. These scandals are closely watched by the American president Donald Trump who wants FIFA to review the suspension of the red card of Folarin Balogun before the sixteenth game of the United States against Belgium. FIFA has not hesitated to facilitate Trump’s demand, breaking its own rules and undermining the integrity of the sport in its flagship competition.
The FSE said: “The controversy surrounding the creation of this FIFA World Cup ranges from being a fake ‘Peace Prize’ to appease Donald Trump, bending its rules to the breaking point, changing the nature of the game beyond recognition, to government meddling in the news.
“The lessons from this World Cup are clear: FIFA is not ready to manage world football. The future of the game will not rest in the hands of a man who has once again proven that he puts financial and political interests before the future of our game.”
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