Brady and Ferdinand Caught in Infantino's Orbit as World Cup Ticket Row Deepens

The 2026 World Cup has become a lightning rod for controversy, with escalating ticket costs and the tournament's association with President Donald Trump drawing widespread condemnation. Yet as the criticism mounts, prominent figures have stepped forward to defend FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino—a move that's raised eyebrows among observers.

Rio Ferdinand, the former Manchester United defender turned pundit, became the public face of December's World Cup draw. When questioned about the spiralling ticket prices, the ex-defender attempted to frame FIFA's position as reasonable, suggesting the organisation was genuinely concerned with accessibility whilst also justifying premium pricing as reflective of an elite product.

"I am a man of the people in terms of I'm from a place where we were always hoping for things to be accessible," Ferdinand explained, before adding that FIFA were "definitely people who are conscious of that" and working towards affordability goals. He went on to argue that the cost of attending matches could be justified by the quality on display.

Now Tom Brady, the Birmingham City minority shareholder and former NFL star, has followed Ferdinand's lead. Speaking to Fox Sports, Brady lavished praise on Infantino's leadership and inclusive vision for the sport.

"What Gianni has done, in terms of his leadership, his inclusion, I think Gianni is a man of the people," Brady said. "He's out there celebrating the great parts of the sport. I think he's made great contributions to the world of football."

Brady continued by emphasising football's universal appeal, describing it as "a chance for all of us to connect globally over something that we love."

Yet critics argue such endorsements ring hollow. They contend that Infantino, Ferdinand, and Brady represent precisely the forces that have transformed football into an exclusive enterprise catering to wealthy interests—the very antithesis of the democratic sport they claim to champion.