FIFA and president Gianni Infantino are facing increasing opposition from football’s biggest names – now Philipp Lahm has launched a fierce attack. (again)
Not just anyone speaks out. – The 42-year-old former right winger has, in addition to winning the World Cup in football, also won the Champions League and a total of eight Bundesliga trophies with Bayern Munich.
Former Germany captain Philipp Lahm has sharply criticized FIFA president Gianni Infantino, accusing the world football federation of undermining the sport’s credibility. In an op-ed in the German newspaper Die Zeit, the 2014 World Cup winner writes that football’s biggest tournament is increasingly run by commercial interests.
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Concern about players’ workload
Lahm also criticizes FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup, claiming that the tournament puts additional physical pressure on the players.
The former Bayern Munich defender questions the ever-increasing number of games on the calendar, warning of the long-term consequences for players’ form and recovery. He also expresses frustration over the ongoing discussions about hosting the World Cup every two years instead of every four.
Ticket prices and fan concerns
The 42-year-old also joins the criticism of ticket prices during this summer’s World Cup. Lahm suggests that FIFA has failed to give an honest picture of the demand, while also prioritizing monetization.
The issue of price and availability has become a major topic during the championship, with supporters expressing concern over rising costs for travel, accommodation and match tickets.
Praises the expansion – but not everything
Despite the criticism, Lahm acknowledges that FIFA has made good decisions in some areas. He praises the expanded 48-team World Cup format for giving more nations the opportunity to compete on football’s biggest stage.
Lahm points to countries such as Scotland, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cape Verde as examples of nations that can now create memorable moments in the championship.
Long-standing criticism of Infantino
This is not the first time Lahm has publicly criticized Infantino. During the 2022 World Cup, the former defender questioned the FIFA president’s “integrity” amid the controversy surrounding the championship in Qatar.
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Now Philipp Lahm works as a commentator for Kicker.
He will certainly be paying extra attention to the match between Germany and Ecuador on Thursday.
