FIFA President Infantino faces widespread backlash despite record €13B revenue from 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup concluded on Sunday evening, sparking intense debate—much of it directed at FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Trump Praises Tournament, Infantino Celebrates Success

According to US President Donald Trump, the 2026 World Cup was an unqualified success. Speaking shortly after Spain's victory, Trump commended the organization:

"I thought FIFA was incredible. There has never been anything like it in terms of an event, not to mention soccer or football, whatever you call it. But I thought it was incredible. It was four times more successful than any FIFA World Cup ever organized before. And it's even five times more according to what I was told today (Sunday). We are very proud of our country. We are very proud of the work done by everyone. We congratulate Gianni Infantino and his entire team for the incredible work they have done."

Infantino himself expressed satisfaction with the tournament's outcome:

"I feel good. I feel fantastically good. I am delighted and fulfilled by the incredible success of this FIFA World Cup. 2030 will be a very special World Cup, we will see if it is still played with 48 teams, which is a great success, or perhaps with 64 teams. We will have cooling breaks or not (…) We have seen unique images and scenes. It reminds us that the FIFA World Cup is not just a competition: its purpose is to unite the world and, perhaps, to make it a little better."

These remarks drew criticism from supporters who were unable to travel to the United States for the tournament.

FIFA Reaps Record Revenue

Despite the controversies, FIFA emerged as the financial winner. According to The Guardian, FIFA had anticipated revenue of just under €10 billion but ultimately collected over €13 billion in just over a month, thanks to the 104-match tournament.

Key controversies included:

• Travel restrictions: Somali referee Omar Artan, selected among the 52 referees for the World Cup, was unable to enter the United States due to Somalia's entry restrictions.
• Treatment of teams: Iran, in conflict with the US, requested Infantino's assistance after being required to leave US soil immediately following their matches.
• Exorbitant ticket prices
• Cooling breaks
• Heavy commercialization

Infantino Under Fire

Despite the financial success, Infantino faced significant backlash. He traveled approximately 100,000 km in one month to attend matches but was booed on Sunday evening as he entered the field alongside Donald Trump.

Geopolitical specialist Pascal Boniface told France 24:

"Gianni Infantino behaved like a lackey of Donald Trump."

Le Monde reported that Infantino's reputation has been "tarnished," noting the "frank hostility" from football fans who viewed him as a "docile executor of the White House occupant."

Swiss journalist David Lemos also criticized the tournament:

"This was without a doubt the most mercantile World Cup in history, also one of the most politicized. Gianni Infantino had presented it as the most beautiful thing to happen to humanity, more or less. What is certain is that it will have brought in more money than ever before. We will not forget, even if the stadiums were full, the prices that people without considerable means had to pay. Sometimes without even being able to enter the country if their..."