Fifa president Gianni Infantino has made a joke about British football fans' behaviour while defending ticket prices for this summer's World Cup in North America. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, he noted that during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, no British fan was arrested for the first time in history, calling it 'something really, really special'.
The Football Supporters' Association responded sharply, saying that instead of 'making cheap jokes about our fans', Infantino should 'concentrate on making cheap tickets'. The remarks came as Fifa revealed it had received over 500 million ticket requests for the upcoming tournament, with the second-cheapest final ticket costing $4,185 (£3,100).
Infantino acknowledged criticism over pricing, particularly from Germany and England, but pointed out that those two nations are among the top three in ticket demand, alongside the United States. He stated confidently that every match will be sold out and that the resale platform may drive prices even higher.
The Fifa president also dismissed concerns about visa denials for fans from countries like Haiti, Iran and Senegal, insisting that the United States, Canada, and Mexico will welcome the world. Human rights groups have raised alarms over certain policies of the Trump administration, but Infantino described the tournament as 'the greatest celebration of humanity'.
