Ian Wright says football becoming a ‘rich man’s game’ as he hits out at World Cup 2026 prices

WorldFootball
20 May 2026 • 12:10 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Ian Wright says football becoming a ‘rich man’s game’ as he hits out at World Cup 2026 prices

  • Ian Wright has condemned the cost of the upcoming World Cup as "scandalous", highlighting exorbitant ticket and travel prices for fans.
  • FIFA has faced significant criticism for the high ticket prices for the tournament hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
  • Travel expenses have also been a concern, with New Jersey initially setting a return train fare to MetLife Stadium at $150, later reduced to $98 following public scrutiny.
  • Wright argued that football is becoming a "rich man's game", citing the inaccessibility of major tournaments and the increasing trend of European finals moving behind paywalls.
  • He implores the footballing world not to allow these financial controversies to be overlooked once the competition commences, drawing parallels to past tournaments where issues were overshadowed.

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