FIFA president is a ‘man of the people’

Tom Brady’s feedback about FIFA president Gianni Infantino: Regardless of ongoing price considerations from each local fans and organizers in regards to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Patriots legend Tom Brady not too long ago spoke glowingly of the worldwide soccer group’s president.

Brady, talking in a latest interview via CGTN Sports, had excessive reward for FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

“The turnaround actually begins with great management on the high and what Gianni has performed by way of his management, his inclusion,” Brady stated of Infantino, who was elected to his function in FIFA precisely 10 years in the past.

“I believe Gianni is a person of the individuals, and he’s all the time on the market celebrating the good elements of the game,” Brady added. “I believe he’s made nice contributions to the world of soccer. And getting an opportunity to know him and perceive the form of particular person he’s, the values he represents, I believe that actually showcases itself inside the broader objectives of what soccer is all about. Soccer is for everybody. It’s an opportunity for all of us to attach, globally, over one thing that we love.”

Brady, who works for Fox Sports activities (which has broadcast rights to the event), was not too long ago part of the FIFA World Cup draw in December.

“It was nice to be part of the FIFA draw, however simply to know that there are 48 international locations now collaborating within the World Cup in all of North America is extremely thrilling as a result of it simply means extra inclusion, extra international locations, extra followers, a broader viewers for these unimaginable video games and these athletes to showcase what they’ve actually tried to perform their entire life, which is attain the top of their sport,” Brady defined. “And the truth that they’re in a position to do this in America and showcase it on the largest stage is totally unimaginable, and it was enjoyable for me to be part of.”

The seven-time Tremendous Bowl winner’s characterization of Infantino has produced a powerful response. Even a Fox Sports post about Brady’s feedback acknowledged that the outline of Infantino as a “man of the individuals” had “raised eyebrows amongst those that really feel the FIFA president is more and more out of contact with the game’s precise contributors.”

Infantino, 55, was reportedly paid a complete wage of $6.1 million in 2024 according to Le Monde (which examined FIFA’s U.S. tax filings in late 2025). And his capacity to narrate to widespread followers is likely to be obscured barely by his jet-setting lifestyle and evolving residencies relying on the location of the subsequent males’s World Cup.

The FIFA head has been criticized for bizarre and performative statements made in response to accusations in regards to the human rights document of 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar. His choice to award U.S. president Donald Trump with an unprecedented FIFA Peace Prize (abandoning the group’s acknowledged political neutrality) on the attract December additionally invited widespread reproach. Past that, Infantino’s latest feedback calling for Russia’s reinstatement into FIFA even amid ongoing battle in Ukraine had been labelled as “irresponsible” by Ukraine’s sports activities minister Matvii Bidnyi.

As for Brady’s declare that “soccer is for everybody,” it lands considerably incongruently with the on-the-ground actuality dealing with many native followers and officers getting ready for the summer season event.

The City of Foxborough is currently embroiled in a standoff over $7.8 million in safety funding for World Cup video games that will probably be performed at Gillette Stadium. Parking may even be a significant query for hundreds hoping to attend native video games, particularly after a recent WBUR report from Andrea Perdomo-Hernandez illuminated the element {that a} majority of normal stadium parking is not going to be obtainable.

After which the ticket prices, which Infantino has acknowledged will probably be larger than ever earlier than. For many who didn’t get chosen in FIFA’s ticket attracts, the secondary ticket market gives a harsh choice. Presently, the most affordable ticket for any of the Gillette Stadium-based World Cup video games is $601.

The FIFA World Cup is ready to begin on June 11 and run by way of July 19, with Gillette Stadium (recognized in FIFA branding phrases as “Boston Stadium“) set to host seven matches.

Trivia: Tom Brady gained his first Tremendous Bowl in early 2002. Are you able to title each males’s World Cup successful nation since then?

(Reply on the backside).

Trace: There are six nations in whole.

Scores and schedules:

The Celtics misplaced to the Nuggets 103-84 on Wednesday in Denver, snapping a four-game successful streak. Boston will face the Nets at TD Backyard on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

The Bruins return to the ice tonight for the primary time for the reason that Olympics, dealing with the Blue Jackets at dwelling at 7 p.m.

The Fleet additionally return to common season play following the Olympic break within the coming days. Boston will face the Cost in Ottawa on Saturday at 2 p.m.

And the Revolution face the Crimson Bulls at Sports activities Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Extra from Boston.com:

Route one hockey: The Windfall Bruins defeated the Lehigh Valley Phantoms 6-4 on Wednesday, highlighted by a fantastically unbelievable objective scored by Patrick Brown out of mid-air.