Philipp Lahm accuses FIFA of selling football

Former Germany captain, football legend and World Cup winner Philipp Lahm has lashed out at FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the world football governing body, accusing them of putting profit ahead of the interests of fans and players.

In a newspaper column, Philipp Lahm expressed concern over rising ticket prices, the proliferation of tournaments and the growing commercialisation of the game. “The World Cup has been sold out,” he said, sparking a new debate in football circles.

According to Philipp Lahm, the race to increase revenue is damaging football’s reputation and creating disillusionment among fans. He said that many fans now find it difficult to distinguish between the true spirit of the game and FIFA’s commercial decisions.

He was particularly critical of the expansion of the FIFA Club World Cup, which has increased the number of teams from seven to 32. Lahm argues that the decision will put additional pressure on players, who are already facing busy schedules and long travel commitments.

Philipp Lahm warned that the increased number of matches could affect players' fitness and performance, while also increasing the risks of physical and mental exhaustion in the long term.

The football legend also questioned the prices of tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying that transparency in demand and pricing is essential.

However, despite his criticism, Philipp Lahm praised FIFA's decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams. He said that the larger format has given emerging football nations, such as Curacao, Cape Verde, Scotland and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the opportunity to showcase their talents on the global stage and write inspiring stories.