Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has not held back with his verdict ahead of the World Cup kicking off in the US, Canada and Mexico, criticizing FIFA president Gianni Infantino
10:43, 08 Jun 2026
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
This summer's World Cup is about to kick off, but there is no shortage of controversy surrounding the tournament, which is to be held in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA might have U-turned on banning fans from taking water into matches this week, but that was just the latest in a series of bizarre cash-grabbing moves that have been made ahead of the competition starting.
And Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has blasted Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, ahead of a period in which he is likely to be in the news a lot as the tournament progresses.
The top-priced ticket for the World Cup final is now $33K (£25K) — Infantino believes that the ticket prices generally are simply a fair reflection of market value — while Human Rights groups have warned against this being another sportswashing World Cup.
Infantino has been keen to align himself with U.S. President Donald Trump — to put it mildly — including giving him an inaugural FIFA Peace Prize amid the ongoing war with Iran.
"He's a disgrace, that fella, Infantino — I can’t stand him," Carragher said on The Overlap, sponsored by Sky Bet. "I really have a big problem with him."
Elsewhere, Carragher believes England might struggle when it comes to the latter stages of the tournament because Thomas Tuchel has picked a roster of players that is well-balanced but lacking star quality.
The likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer have been left at home, while Tuchel went with Jordan Henderson and Kobbie Mainoo over Adam Wharton in midfield.
LUQUE, PARAGUAY - MAY 15: FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the 75th FIFA Congress at Centro de Convenciones de CONMEBOL on May 15, 2025 in Luque, Paraguay. (Photo by Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)
"At the end of your career, people say what are you proud of? And a lot of people say, 'I played in a couple of World Cups'," Carragher said.
"I don't say that about myself. I don't think I enjoyed the experience. I didn't love it. I didn't come away thinking, 'Wow, I was part of the World Cup'.
"There was a lot of negativity. The team didn't do well, and with the media side of it, you didn't come away from it the way the lads, in 1990, did.
"And I do have a little fear — I think Gareth Southgate's going to be a lot more appreciated in the next five to 10 years.
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"I was a massive Southgate fan in terms of what he did with England and people saying he underachieved and what he should have done with this team.
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"I think England will find it tough in this tournament, if I'm being totally honest. You look at the squad that's been picked and there's a lot of good players in there, but I class a lot of them as good Premier League players.
"I don't look at all of them and think, that's an international player there, and maybe that's just here we are with the squad at the moment.
"So, I wouldn't say I'm the most optimistic right now. I think when you look at the squad, Thomas Tuchel put energy, athleticism, and harmony over talent."