Infantino British fans joke at Davos draws reactions as FIFA president reflects on Qatar 2022 and previews the 2026 World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino sparked widespread reactions on Thursday after making a tongue-in-cheek remark about British football fans during an address at the World Economic Forum.

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Speaking before an audience of global political and business leaders, Infantino reflected on the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, describing the tournament as one that passed with minimal disruption.

According to Sky Sports News, Infantino said there were “virtually no incidents” once the competition began.

Highlighting what he described as a historic outcome, he added, “For the first time in history, no Brit was arrested during a World Cup. Imagine. This is something really, really special.”

The Infantino British fans joke, delivered as a light-hearted reference to the long-standing reputation of English supporters at major tournaments, quickly gained attention across social media and news platforms.

The comment drew mixed reactions, with some fans amused by the humour and others questioning its appropriateness at a global forum.

Infantino used the broader speech to outline his vision for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

He described the tournament as a “celebration” and a “party,” saying it would unite people through shared joy and communal spirit, both on and off the pitch.

The FIFA president also addressed criticism over ticket pricing for the 2026 finals, acknowledging concerns raised by supporters’ groups and the media.

“The tickets are not cheap,” Infantino said, admitting he had been “hammered” over the issue during discussions at the forum.

Despite the criticism, he pointed to demand figures as evidence of strong interest, revealing that FIFA received more than 500 million ticket requests during the most recent application window.

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Infantino described the level of demand as “incredible,” underscoring the scale and global appeal expected for the expanded 2026 World Cup.