Former Germany captain and 2014 World Cup winner Philipp Lahm has criticised FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino, saying football’s global governing body is putting commercial interests ahead of fans and players.

In a column for German newspaper Die Zeit, Lahm said the World Cup was “being sold out” and argued that rising ticket prices, tournament expansion and the growing commercialisation of football were damaging the game’s credibility. His remarks have renewed debate over FIFA’s direction during the 2026 World Cup.

Lahm said many supporters were becoming uneasy as they struggled to separate the appeal of the World Cup from FIFA’s business decisions. He argued that football authorities must protect the sport’s identity while also managing its global growth.

Concerns over ticket prices

Lahm raised questions about 2026 World Cup ticket pricing, saying FIFA should provide clearer information about demand and pricing decisions. Ticket costs at the tournament have already faced criticism from fans and supporter groups, with reports highlighting the use of pricing models aimed at increasing revenue.

FIFA has defended its approach, arguing that demand remains strong and that pricing systems help manage the market. Infantino has also rejected suggestions that recent tournament changes are driven only by commercial considerations.

Club World Cup expansion criticised

The former Bayern Munich captain also criticised the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which grew from seven teams to 32. Lahm said the heavier football calendar increases pressure on players already dealing with congested schedules, long travel and limited recovery time.

He warned that more matches could affect player fitness and performance while increasing the risk of physical and mental fatigue over the long term.

Despite his criticism, Lahm supported the expansion of the FIFA World Cup to 48 teams. He said the larger format had opened space for emerging football nations to compete on the global stage and create new stories for fans.

Lahm said countries such as Curaçao, Cape Verde, Scotland and DR Congo were among those benefiting from the expanded tournament format.

His comments reflect a wider debate in international football over how FIFA balances revenue growth, global inclusion, player welfare and access for ordinary supporters.

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