The FIFA President made a sensational statement ahead of the 2026 World Cup
FIFA President Gianni Infantino found himself at the center of a scandal following a controversial statement made on the eve of the 2026 World Cup.
During a public event in Los Angeles, he referred to the millions of fans who will attend the tournament as “happy barbarians,” sparking a wave of discussion in the sports community and the media.
Infantino spoke at an event attended by representatives of the sports and entertainment industries, where he discussed the atmosphere of the upcoming World Cup. According to him, the host cities will be literally flooded with fans from around the world.
“We will be swept away by a horde of barbarians. But these are happy barbarians, don’t worry,” said the FIFA president.
The head of world soccer explained that he was referring to the huge number of fans who will arrive for the tournament.
He emphasized that the streets of the cities will turn into a vibrant sea of national colors, flags, and soccer symbols.
“Men, women, children, grandmothers, and grandfathers—it doesn’t matter; their faces will be painted in the colors of their countries,” Infantino said.
The 2026 World Cup will be the largest in the tournament’s history. For the first time, 48 national teams will participate in the final stage, and the total number of matches will increase to 104. The competition will be hosted by three countries—the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Los Angeles will be one of the key hubs of the tournament. Eight matches are scheduled to be held there, along with large-scale fan festivals and ten official fan zones for supporters.
However, even before the World Cup kicks off, organizers are facing criticism and controversy.
Among the main topics of discussion are high ticket prices, security concerns, and potential difficulties in obtaining visas for fans and participants from certain countries.
Reuters reports on this.
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