FIFA president Gianni Infantino made a lighthearted remark about British football fans during a defense of the 2026 World Cup and its ticket prices at the World Economic Forum. He claimed no British arrests occurred at the 2022 Qatar tournament for the first time in history, a statement disputed by facts and officials. The comment has drawn criticism amid ongoing debates over high ticket costs.
Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, addressed concerns about the 2026 World Cup during a session at the World Economic Forum on January 23, 2026. The tournament, set to unfold across the United States, Canada, and Mexico starting in June, has faced global backlash over its ticket prices, which initially proposed increases of nearly 500 percent compared to the 2022 Qatar event.
Infantino defended the event by recalling the Qatar World Cup, stating, "When the ball started rolling and the magic started we had virtually no incidents." He added a joke: "For the first time in history also, no Brit was arrested during a World Cup. Imagine! This is something really, really special." He emphasized the celebratory nature of the tournaments, saying, "So it was a celebration, it was a party, and the next one in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be exactly the same. People want occasions to meet, to come together, to spend time, to celebrate, and this is what we try to give them."
However, Infantino's claim about British arrests is inaccurate. No British fans were arrested at the 2010 South Africa World Cup either, and England supporters' behavior in Qatar was described as "impeccable" by authorities. Britain's football policing lead responded sharply, calling the joke "neither helpful nor accurate."
The Football Supporters Association also criticized the remark, stating, "While we've got Mr Infantino's attention, we'd like to point out that rather than making cheap jokes about our fans, he should concentrate on making cheap tickets."
In response to fan outcry, FIFA adjusted its pricing, introducing a £45 tier for select tickets available through national federations, covering about 10 percent of allocations. Yet, groups continue to demand more affordability, especially given FIFA's projected £10 billion revenue from 2023 to 2026. England and Wales, the only British teams at Qatar 2022, saw positive fan conduct overall, contrasting with past events like 2006 in Germany, where some arrests were preventative.