‘World Cup has been sold’, Philipp Lahm slams FIFA chief Infantino

German football legend and World Cup winner Philipp Lahm has reignited debate over the future of global football after launching a sharp criticism of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, accusing football’s governing body of prioritizing profits over the interests of fans and players.

In a strongly worded newspaper column, later highlighted by ESPN, Lahm expressed concern over rising ticket prices, expanding tournaments, and what he described as the increasing commercialization of the sport. His most striking remark was that the World Cup was being “sold,” a statement that has quickly attracted attention across the football world.

The former Germany captain argued that the growing focus on revenue generation is damaging the reputation of football and creating frustration among supporters. According to Lahm, many fans are finding it increasingly difficult to separate the spirit of the game from FIFA’s commercial decisions.

One of his main criticisms centered on the expansion of the FIFA Club World Cup. The tournament was enlarged from seven teams to 32 teams, a move FIFA has promoted as a way to broaden global participation. Lahm, however, believes the change places additional pressure on players who are already dealing with crowded schedules and demanding travel commitments.

He warned that the increasing number of matches could negatively affect player fitness and overall performance, raising concerns about long-term physical and mental fatigue.

Lahm also questioned FIFA’s ticket-pricing strategy for the 2026 World Cup. He suggested that critics have raised concerns about transparency regarding actual demand figures and argued that football authorities should be more open about how ticket prices are determined.

The German icon further voiced opposition to previous proposals suggesting that the World Cup could be held every two years instead of every four. He described the idea as troubling, insisting that major international tournaments require time for preparation, anticipation, and lasting impact.

Despite his criticism, Lahm did praise FIFA’s decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams. He noted that the larger format has provided opportunities for emerging football nations such as Curaçao, Cape Verde, Scotland, and Democratic Republic of the Congo to create inspiring stories on the world stage.

This is not the first time Lahm has challenged FIFA leadership. During the 2022 World Cup, he also questioned Infantino’s credibility and decision-making. His latest comments are likely to fuel further debate over the balance between football’s traditions and its growing commercial ambitions.