Victor Montagliani, the president of Concacaf and a Fifa vice-president, believes the 2026 World Cup will trigger a "cultural revolution" in North America that could elevate Major League Soccer to rival the Premier League as the world's top club competition.
World Cup legacy and MLS potential
In an exclusive interview, Montagliani argued that the tournament's controversial ticket pricing is justified as it represents the peak of Fifa's earning power, which funds global football. He also claimed Donald Trump will have "no part to play" at the event and dismissed calls to expand the World Cup to 64 teams, while expressing support for increasing the Club World Cup to 48 teams to boost standards and revenue.
Montagliani, who has been tipped as a potential successor to Gianni Infantino, left the door open to running for the Fifa presidency in 2031, after Infantino completes his final term following reelection next year.
Personal connection to the tournament
Having been an early advocate for Canada's World Cup bid in 2012, Montagliani has been integral to the tournament's development. He attended the opening match in Mexico City and will fly to Toronto for Canada's opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina, describing the experience as "unique" and "special."
"If you take a snapshot of where the game was in North America when we won the bid and now, a lot of things have changed," he said. "Canada didn't even have its own professional league eight years ago – now its clubs are selling players to European Champions League teams. Lionel Messi is established in MLS and may buy a franchise."
Cultural revolution and MLS growth
Montagliani is convinced the World Cup will make football a truly North American sport. "I think the legacy here will be the cultural revolution of the game in North America," he said. "Soccer will become our sport, and we will belong in the conversation of a global sport."
He added: "The potential of MLS in particular is huge, and it can grow to become the second-biggest league in the world. Maybe even the first. Just look at the ownership group – how strong it is and how international it is. The American attitude is we want to be the best in the world. There's nothing stopping them."
Montagliani highlighted the outstanding customer experience at MLS stadiums and world-class training facilities, noting that only a few more star players and a higher salary cap are needed. "There's only one Messi, but when you have a proliferation of that level of player across 30 teams, the sky is the limit."
Ticket prices and revenue
Defending the high ticket prices, Montagliani said the World Cup is the biggest global event in history, with revenues expected to reach $13 billion. "Fifa is a member organisation ... and the council and executives have a fiduciary duty to raise revenue, 100% of which goes back into football."
He noted that ticket prices will likely be lower for the 2030 World Cup in Europe. "Realistically, this could be the peak from a World Cup perspective. But there will be opportunities to grow revenues in other areas, like the Women's World Cup and the Club World Cup."
Expansion and Club World Cup
Montagliani initially had concerns about expanding the World Cup to 48 teams but now supports it, though he opposes further expansion to 64 teams until after a few cycles. However, he is more open to expanding the Club World Cup to 48 teams, citing the quality of clubs in England and other regions. "I think there's enough quality in the world to do it for sure. And economically, that's where the growth could possibly come from."
Political concerns and future ambitions
Regarding political issues, Montagliani insisted Trump will not impact the tournament. "Politicians are politicians, but the work done by administrations has been outstanding."
On his own future, Montagliani said his priority is reelection as Concacaf president next year, but he did not rule out a Fifa presidential bid in 2031. "That's a long time away. The future will be the future. One thing I've learned is that when the ball rolls, nothing else matters."
