Thoughts on the 2026 World Cup

[Toepoke]

FIFA are insanely jealous of the money UEFA rake in annually from the Champions League. Infantino scunnered that his cash cow has been milked dry for another 4 years.

 

Edited July 28 by Toepoke

[vanderark14]

14 hours ago, Ally Bongo said:

 

Just when we thought we couldn't dislike fifa anymore. 

Edited July 29 by vanderark14

[vanderark14]

UEFA to hold an emergency meeting to discuss FIFAs plans.

UEFA aren't exactly clean in the ruining of football, people need to remember how they have completely destroyed European competition BUT they are the only organisation big enough to do anything about FIFA 

UEFA has confirmed tickets will be more affordable at euro 2028 and there will be no hydration breaks unless there is extreme weather conditions

[Goozay]

Genuine question.

Can somebody explain why what FIFA is planning to propose is so much worse than what they've done up till now?

[Ally Bongo]

39 minutes ago, Goozay said:

Genuine question.

Can somebody explain why what FIFA is planning to propose is so much worse than what they've done up till now?

 

FIFA is supposedly a not for profit organisation and all monies raised from tournaments is given back to football (allegedly) 

This proposal looks as if the World Cup will in future be a privatised operation where the companies investing will share the profits   

[Goozay]

37 minutes ago, Ally Bongo said:

 

FIFA is supposedly a not for profit organisation and all monies raised from tournaments is given back to football (allegedly) 

This proposal looks as if the World Cup will in future be a privatised operation where the companies investing will share the profits   

Thanks. That's a straightforward explanation. 

The coverage seemed to switch to outrage without explaining the significance of the change.

Interesting times. Another genuine question: Does anyone know what happened to the various legal claims against FIFA that were brought because of their dodgy ticketing practices at the World Cup? From memory, New York, California and a European Supporters Group and Consumer Group each lodged claims.

[Ally Bongo]

 

[Ally Bongo]

1 hour ago, Goozay said:

 Another genuine question: Does anyone know what happened to the various legal claims against FIFA that were brought because of their dodgy ticketing practices at the World Cup? From memory, New York, California and a European Supporters Group and Consumer Group each lodged claims.

Still ongoing - could be months/years 

FIFA faces multiple legal actions and investigations over its World Cup ticketing practices, including US State Subpoenas, an EU Competition Complaint, and a German Court Injunction. These challenges focus on inflated prices, deceptive seat mapping, and alleged abuse of market power. [1, 2, 3]

State Subpoenas and Class-Action Lawsuits (United States)

• New York & New Jersey Investigation: Attorneys general Letitia James and Jennifer Davenport subpoenaed FIFA over allegations of artificial price inflation, variable surge pricing, and "fake scarcity" tactics for games at MetLife Stadium. [1, 2]

• Misleading Seating Maps: Prosecutors examined complaints that FIFA used a bait-and-switch by redrawing stadium maps or introducing expensive "front row" categories after fans already bought general Category 1 tickets, pushing buyers into worse views. [1, 2, 3]
• • VIP Hoarding Lawsuit: A class-action lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C. accused FIFA of deceptive trade practices for marketing premium Category 1 tickets as having a chance at midfield views, while allegedly reserving those exact seats for high-paying corporate VIP packages. [1]
  European Commission and German Court Actions (Europe)
  • Antitrust and Consumer Complaint: Football Supporters Europe and Euroconsumers filed a formal complaint with the European Commission, claiming FIFA abused its monopoly to enforce uncontrolled dynamic pricing, pressure-selling dark patterns, and illegal "bait advertising" regarding scarce low-cost tickets. [1, 2, 3]
  • German Resale Injunction: The Frankfurt Regional Court issued an injunction against FIFA following a case brought by ticket platform Ticombo, citing manipulative checkout price spikes of up to 30%, ticking purchase timers, and a failure to clearly identify commercial ticket sellers. [1, 2]

[Ally Bongo]

 

[Ally Bongo]

18 hours ago, Ally Bongo said:

 

 

The elephant in the room is the billions FIFA holds which they will dangle under UEFA's noses  

Gianni Infantino has promised national associations a $40m incentive if they accept his vision but only about a quarter of that if they reject it.

https://news.sky.com/story/fa-deeply-concerned-over-fa-plans-to-sell-stakes-in-its-competitions-13567276

 

The President of the Czechia FA, David Trunda, has gone AGAINST UEFA’s stance and accepted Infantino’s proposal

[DoonTheSlope]

Here’s a thought

Scotland, Wales and England reject FIFAs vision. FIFA could well turn around and say well you’re no longer competing individually and will need to compete as Great Britain 

It makes you wonder eh

[Clyde1998]

19 hours ago, dan cake said:

I’d deffo be up for a Euro’s every 2nd year fuck the World Cup, I really enjoyed myself in America but I also knew I was being taken for a complete fool by FIFA. 

There's no reason that additional 'Euros' couldn't add eight more teams from CONMEBOL and/or select others from around the world for a 32-team competition.

How many private investors would want a World Cup lacking the top European and South American teams? 

[Broath Boy]

8 minutes ago, DoonTheSlope said:

Here’s a thought

Scotland, Wales and England reject FIFAs vision. FIFA could well turn around and say well you’re no longer competing individually and will need to compete as Great Britain 

It makes you wonder eh

Independence guaranteed

[dan cake]

5 minutes ago, DoonTheSlope said:

Here’s a thought

Scotland, Wales and England reject FIFAs vision. FIFA could well turn around and say well you’re no longer competing individually and will need to compete as Great Britain 

It makes you wonder eh

Another thought

Would Scotland fans be happy to “scab” if it guaranteed World Cup qualification/invitation? 

[Goozay]

5 hours ago, Ally Bongo said:

Still ongoing - could be months/years 

FIFA faces multiple legal actions and investigations over its World Cup ticketing practices, including US State Subpoenas, an EU Competition Complaint, and a German Court Injunction. These challenges focus on inflated prices, deceptive seat mapping, and alleged abuse of market power. [1, 2, 3]

 

State Subpoenas and Class-Action Lawsuits (United States)

• New York & New Jersey Investigation: Attorneys general Letitia James and Jennifer Davenport subpoenaed FIFA over allegations of artificial price inflation, variable surge pricing, and "fake scarcity" tactics for games at MetLife Stadium. [1, 2]

• Misleading Seating Maps: Prosecutors examined complaints that FIFA used a bait-and-switch by redrawing stadium maps or introducing expensive "front row" categories after fans already bought general Category 1 tickets, pushing buyers into worse views. [1, 2, 3]
• • VIP Hoarding Lawsuit: A class-action lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C. accused FIFA of deceptive trade practices for marketing premium Category 1 tickets as having a chance at midfield views, while allegedly reserving those exact seats for high-paying corporate VIP packages. [1]
   
  European Commission and German Court Actions (Europe)
  • Antitrust and Consumer Complaint: Football Supporters Europe and Euroconsumers filed a formal complaint with the European Commission, claiming FIFA abused its monopoly to enforce uncontrolled dynamic pricing, pressure-selling dark patterns, and illegal "bait advertising" regarding scarce low-cost tickets. [1, 2, 3]
  • German Resale Injunction: The Frankfurt Regional Court issued an injunction against FIFA following a case brought by ticket platform Ticombo, citing manipulative checkout price spikes of up to 30%, ticking purchase timers, and a failure to clearly identify commercial ticket sellers. [1, 2]

Thanks.

For me, these are slam dunk cases. FIFA abused their monopoly position and hyped up the scarcity of match tickets at the World Cup. 

[TDYER63]

1 hour ago, Ally Bongo said:

Gianni Infantino has promised national associations a $40m incentive if they accept his vision but only about a quarter of that if they reject it.

https://news.sky.com/story/fa-deeply-concerned-over-fa-plans-to-sell-stakes-in-its-competitions-13567276

 

The President of the Czechia FA, David Trunda, has gone AGAINST UEFA’s stance and accepted Infantino’s proposal

Where would Scotland fans loyalties lie if the SFA promised to spend some of that chunk on a world class manager. 

[kumnio]

29 minutes ago, dan cake said:

Another thought

Would Scotland fans be happy to “scab” if it guaranteed World Cup qualification/invitation? 

 

Just now, TDYER63 said:

Where would Scotland fans loyalties lie if the SFA promised to spend some of that chunk on a world class manager. 

100% no for me.

Bought and sold for Infantino gold can GTF.

[TDYER63]

2 minutes ago, kumnio said:

 

100% no for me.

Bought and sold for Infantino gold can GTF.

And me. But I can guarantee it would test some people’s principles. 

[DoonTheSlope]

49 minutes ago, dan cake said:

Another thought

Would Scotland fans be happy to “scab” if it guaranteed World Cup qualification/invitation? 

Qualification maybe with a very small possibility with clearer information. Invitation absolutely not

I don’t know how qualification would work though if UEFA associations are effectively on strike

[Ally Bongo]

15 minutes ago, TDYER63 said:

And me. But I can guarantee it would test some people’s principles. 

Everybody that thought/hoped that this World Cup would be a one off in terms of the cost were dreaming

It's now going to be a vehicle to rip off everyone for the personal gain of a few  

[DoonTheSlope]

Considering member clubs are the association in many countries, definitely in Scotlands case then the increasing number of American and Middle Eastern owners could give FIFA a clear pathway to carrying out their ambitions

The fact that SFA President Mullraney is one of the high heid yins at FIFAs finance department suggests to me the SFA will pass the motion without any consultation with its member clubs on the promise of each club coining in its share of $40million

Small time shareholders should start lobbying their clubs at AGMs and fans groups start dialogue with the custodians of their clubs to see what their clubs current views are on the situation

It’s already a fast moving development since associations have to make a decision by September

[DoonTheSlope]

1 minute ago, Ally Bongo said:

Everybody that thought/hoped that this World Cup would be a one off in terms of the cost were dreaming

It's now going to be a vehicle to rip off everyone for the personal gain of a few  

Unfortunately people will still be tripping over themselves to pay whatever inflated prices are put forward in future then complain about how dear it is

[vanderark14]

12 hours ago, TDYER63 said:

And me. But I can guarantee it would test some people’s principles. 

And me

100% with UEFA on this and I sincerely hope the SFA are too

[Caledonian Craig]

All it needs is one governing body to pull out of FIFA and their empire will crumble. The World Cup run by FIFA would be dead in the water without European teams participating.