Suzi Perry

Just when I was trying to drag myself away from this great city that never sleeps and never stops, I walk into a Soho diner in NYC and they’ve got the Clash on. Rudy Can’t Fail. Not a Clash classic (don’t @ me) but clearly a diner with taste. Anyway, time to go, airport beckons, London’s calling. But a few thoughts on the way home from my 10th World Cup (and already looking forward to 2030, the World Cup remains the greatest sports event on earth). 2026 has been a good World Cup - Rodri, Messi, Mbappe, Haaland, Bellingham, Spain worthy winners, some epic games, some special stories of unknowns becoming global names. But it’s been a tournament of two halves. The negative part: the ticket greed, the tampering with much-loved traditions that work and the damage of external political interference in the game - all on President Infantino’s watch. These negatives contrast with the joy of much of the football and the joy of the fans partying in USA, Canada and Mexico. Mixing with each other, whatever the rivalry, mixing with locals in all three host nations. The Tartan Army set the tone of fun and games. Norway’s rowers took it on (I fancy them for the LA Olympics, maybe they were simply acclimatising). England fans played their part with their flags and the unforgettable Wonderwall. Football doesn’t belong to Infantino. It belongs to Rodri and Bellingham, to Olise, Vozinha and all those who have given their all and entertained us so wonderfully over these past few memorable weeks. It belongs to the selfless stadium volunteers from local soccer clubs and all stadium staff who have worked so hard to make match-day run smoothly. Football belongs to the people. Not the presidents.

Of all the things I worry about with Gianni Infantino the colour of his shoes is the least of them. OK, white trainers looks like he thinks he’s a player, he’s a 56-year-old suit trying to be cool and it actually cheapens the office of FIFA president. All true. But, really, I’m more concerned about Infantino’s relationship with the White House than love of white trainers. I’m more concerned about his allowance of external interference in disciplinary matters; his wooing of politicians when a governing body should be above that; his consideration of the idea (not his) of expanding the World Cup to 64, destroying qualifying for a start, let alone the obvious voting appeal an expansion would mean for him; and the accelerating commercialisation of the game through hydration breaks. I'm more concerned about the scandalous price of World Cup tickets (only partly a FIFA issue); the fact that Infantino makes things about him, and his love of being with rich, famous and powerful people, when really everything at FIFA should revolve around the good of the game. It's almost comical his swooning around wealth and power. So, no, I wouldn't put white shoes as his worst behaviour. I’m more frustrated for the good people working hard at FIFA, doing incredible work in countries and communities around the world, and seeing the organisation they represent with such pride and industry be associated with a president who’s lost sight of the heart and soul of football. Infantino may well be a decent guy, far removed from the mockery online. I don't know. But I do know that he needs to re-find the respected young lawyer he once was at UEFA. He's changed. That maybe him or FIFA culture. Infantino should remember that FIFA is a sporting institution, not a political one. He should remember that FIFA should be all about the game, not about him. It's been a great World Cup overshadowed at times by wretched decisions and own goals of Infantino's making or shaping. Do better.