"With World Cup soccer matches fast approaching, FIFA is engaged in price gouging for front-row seats. In New Jersey, the transit authority is charging exorbitant rates for transportation and parking. Beyond the mistreatment of fans, the games are being protested by activists who are putting a spotlight on the growing inequalities in their communities. In the host cities of Miami, Kansas City, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, they are organizing to fight ICE raids, jail-expansion projects, rising housing costs, and homelessness."
"Anyone who follows soccer is aware that the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, known as FIFA, is no stranger to scandal: In 1978, the dictatorship in Argentina likely fixed a World Cup match; vote-rigging in 2018 hoisted Sepp Blatter to the FIFA presidency; and Qatar gave million-dollar payouts to FIFA executive committee members in order win the right to host the World Cup in 2022."
"The organization invited further criticism when on December 5, 2025, it awarded the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize to President Donald Trump for his efforts to, in the words of FIFA head Gianni Infantino, "promote peace and unity around the world." Amid a growing sense of embarrassment over the award, FIFA doubled down on its decision, saying it still "strongly" supported the decision."
"Across the United States (Mexico and Canada are also hosting matches), FIFA promoters and city boosters are working to capitalize on the games, but communities are making sure that they benefit, too. On the ground, union members, abolitionists, and immigrant rights activists are working together to ensure that the World Cup lives up to its promise of making socce"
World Cup matches are approaching as FIFA and host-city authorities face accusations of price gouging and excessive charges for front-row seats, transportation, and parking. Fans are also met with protests that draw attention to inequality in local communities. Activists in Miami, Kansas City, Los Angeles, and Atlanta organize against ICE raids, jail-expansion projects, rising housing costs, and homelessness. FIFA has a history of scandals involving alleged match fixing, vote rigging, and payments tied to hosting rights. FIFA also drew criticism after awarding a first-ever Peace Prize to President Donald Trump, with FIFA leadership citing peace and unity while critics question the credibility of the claim. Communities and organizers aim to ensure benefits reach residents through coordinated activism.
Read at The Nation
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]