Ian Wright has criticized the cost of this summer’s World Cup, calling it “scandalous,” as fans are required to spend exorbitant amounts to support their national teams on the sport’s biggest platform.
FIFA is facing backlash for the high ticket prices associated with the tournament taking place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Even the US president Donald Trump weighed in, stating that he “wouldn’t pay that either” when the topic of costs arose.
Moreover, fans are experiencing additional financial burdens related to travel. New Jersey has garnered attention due to the steep prices set for a return train ticket from Penn Station to MetLife Stadium, which skyrocketed from its usual $12.90 to an astonishing $150. Following public outcry, NJ Transit has reduced the fare to $98, and shuttle bus prices were cut from $80 to $20 due to the immense scrutiny.
Wright, an iconic figure in England football, will be in the US to work as a pundit for ITV during the World Cup. At a recent launch event, he expressed his strong feelings about the competition’s cost implications for fans, noting that this year’s European finals will not be free-to-air, which highlights a troubling shift in football broadcasting.
Ian Wright speaks out against the World Cup’s inflated costs (Getty)
“It’s enormous, it’s scandalous what’s happening,” he remarked. “Yesterday, I learned about other competitions that are now restricted, like the Europa League and Champions League. The FA Cup is also hidden behind a paywall… this is the direction football is heading.”
“The ticket prices, the travel costs—it’s all outrageous. It’s becoming a rich man’s sport. It’s appalling. If I were eight-year-old Ian Wright from back in the 1970 World Cup era, when everything was free-to-air, I wouldn’t even know where to watch football today.”
“Take a look at the FA Cup; it was barely covered in the media, and now even parts of the World Cup are behind paywalls, which is simply wrong, especially when we’re charging fans. It’s not even accessible to people in America; this is meant to be the World Cup!”
Wright has urged the football community not to overlook this issue as the tournament approaches and gathers momentum, as occurred four years ago in Qatar.
The previous tournament faced heavy scrutiny over human rights violations, particularly regarding stadium construction, but much of that was overshadowed when Lionel Messi led Argentina to a stunning victory, culminating in a thrilling final against France.
Wright added: “What often happens is the tournament kicks off, excitement builds, and everything seems to go well. This pattern was evident in both South Africa and Qatar—but this time, it feels worse, with so much more being pushed aside.”
“This should not be ignored just because the games have begun. The average fan who dreams of attending the World Cup faces the harsh reality that it’s nearly impossible.”