Archive · 25 Jan 2026
Infantino's Joke on England Fans Angers Supporters
The president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, made a joke about England fans not being arrested during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
He thought it was funny, but many England fans and officials were upset.
They said the joke was not accurate because England fans have had very few arrests in past World Cups.
The Football Supporters’ Association and a police chief said the joke was not helpful and made England fans look bad.
This happened just before the next World Cup in 2026, which will be in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino made a joke about no British fans being arrested at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
England fans and authorities criticized the joke, calling it offensive and inaccurate.
Statistics show England fans have had very few arrests in recent World Cups.
The Football Supporters’ Association and Chief Constable Mark Roberts found the joke unhelpful.
The comment was made ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
- Who
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino and England fans
- What
- Controversial joke about England fans' behavior at the 2022 World Cup
- When
- During the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland
- Where
- World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland
- Why
- Infantino intended it as a light-hearted remark, but it was perceived as offensive and inaccurate by England fans and authorities.
FIFA President's Perspective
England Fans and Authorities
Joke's Intent
FIFA President's Perspective
Infantino intended the comment as a light-hearted joke about England fans' behavior at the 2022 World Cup.
England Fans and Authorities
England fans and authorities found the joke offensive and inaccurate, believing it perpetuated negative stereotypes.
Accuracy of the Joke
FIFA President's Perspective
Infantino highlighted that no British fans were arrested during the 2022 World Cup, which he found noteworthy.
England Fans and Authorities
Authorities and fan groups pointed out that the joke was misleading, as England fans have had very few arrests in recent World Cups.
- Event
- FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar
- Speaker
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino
- Location of Comment
- World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland
- England Fans' Arrests
- No arrests at Qatar 2022, very few in previous World Cups
- Criticism Source
- Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) and Chief Constable Mark Roberts
- Upcoming Event
- FIFA World Cup 2026 in the US, Canada, and Mexico