Lahm criticizes FIFA over World Cup commercialization

Former Germany captain and 2014 FIFA World Cup-winning midfielder Philipp Lahm has criticized FIFA President Gianni Infantino, accusing world football’s governing body of prioritizing commercial interests at the expense of the sport’s credibility.

In a column published in German newspaper Die Zeit, Lahm expressed concern over what he described as the growing commercialization of the World Cup and questioned several recent decisions taken by FIFA.

“The World Cup has been sold,” Lahm wrote, arguing that football’s credibility has suffered as a result. 

According to the former Bayern Munich star, many supporters are becoming increasingly uncomfortable with FIFA’s approach and are finding it difficult to separate the sport itself from the organization that governs it.

His comments come amid ongoing criticism of several FIFA policies during the current World Cup. Among the issues drawing scrutiny are the introduction of hydration breaks and concerns over ticket sales and pricing.

Lahm pointed to allegations that FIFA has not been fully transparent about ticket demand and availability. Critics have claimed that the governing body has created an artificial scarcity of tickets, contributing to higher prices and increased profits.

The former midfielder also voiced concerns over discussions about staging the World Cup every two years. He argued that such a move would reduce the tournament’s significance and leave insufficient time for preparation and evaluation between editions.

Lahm was equally critical of FIFA’s expanded competition calendar, including the newly introduced Club World Cup, which he believes places additional strain on players and the football ecosystem.

Despite his criticism, Lahm acknowledged some positive changes introduced by FIFA. He praised the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, saying it has created opportunities for emerging football nations to compete on the global stage and achieve historic milestones.

Lahm has previously been outspoken about FIFA's governance. Earlier, he described FIFA’s decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar as an example of a lack of transparency and integrity within the organization.

TZ