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As though FIFA needed another controversy, reports have emerged that soccer's governing body is dodging payments it verbally committed to making to the World Cup's U.S. host cities.
Though never formally announced, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his team repeatedly expressed their intent to provide each of the 11 U.S. host cities with an additional $1 million contribution for staging multiple matches throughout the six-week tournament — payments that remain outstanding, according to The Athletic. The payout followed a precedent established at the FIFA Club World Cup the previous year, when Infantino distributed $1 million to each host city, describing it as a "legacy contribution."
The host groups still waiting to receive funds this year include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle, with several having already contacted FIFA seeking an update on the outstanding money.
The total $11 million owed is a mere fraction of the record-breaking $15 billion FIFA walked away with this summer — a figure driven largely by unprecedented ticket prices and the introduction of commercially-sponsored hydration breaks.
This is only the latest controversy surrounding FIFA — and Infantino in particular. The president is deeply embroiled in campaigning for votes ahead of March's election, facing intense criticism over his leaked proposal to sell World Cup stakes and mounting calls for his resignation.
Not the First Time FIFA, Host City Disagree on Money
New York/New Jersey, which hosted eight World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium — including the final — drew controversy earlier in the summer when it was revealed that round-trip train fare from Penn Station in New York City to the stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. would surge from the usual $12.90 to over $150 per fan, with no reduced fares for seniors, children, or those with disabilities — a standard feature of NJ Transit.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and FIFA engaged in a heated public dispute over the issue, with Sherrill placing blame squarely on FIFA, asserting that the governing body "provided $0 for transportation to the World Cup" and instead "stuck NJ Transit with a $48 million bill to safely get fans to and from games, [while] FIFA is making $11 billion."
Sherrill contended that she refused to burden New Jersey taxpayers with the additional cost "for years to come," arguing that FIFA should have covered the expense to allow fans affordable access to a venue that offered no on-site parking.
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FIFA responded to Sherrill's remarks, saying it "was quite surprised by the NJ Governor's approach on fan transportation" and that "FIFA has worked for years with host cities on their transportation and mobility plans."
The governor was swift to respond: "FIFA shouldn't be 'quite surprised' that [I] want it to pay for transporting its fans. The governor isn't going to allow FIFA to make $11 billion in profits and then stick New Jerseyans with a massive bill ... NJ Transit must move four times as many riders as it does during a normal event at the venue. So NJ Transit will provide transportation for ticket holders coming into New Jersey 'at cost'—and the cost to NJ Transit is at least $48 million."
Ultimately, fans paid just under $100 for the round-trip train journey.