Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:36am on 24 Jun 2026,Wednesday Sports
Former Germany captain and 2014 FIFA World Cup winner Philipp Lahm has criticised FIFA President Gianni Infantino, accusing him of “selling out” football through rising commercialisation. Writing in the German newspaper Die Zeit, Lahm said high ticket prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are alienating supporters and damaging the tournament’s credibility. He also criticised the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, warning of its impact on player fitness, and opposed recurring proposals to stage the World Cup every two years. However, Lahm supported the expansion of the FIFA World Cup to 48 teams, praising opportunities created for emerging football nations. (PC: Charity Stars)
