Tom Brady just scored an own goal in the court of public opinion. The NFL legend's latest venture into soccer has landed him in hot water with football fans worldwide.
Brady appeared in a promotional video for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States will co-host with Mexico and Canada. In the video, he praised FIFA president Gianni Infantino as a champion of grassroots football and everyday fans.
That didn't go down well. At all.
Fans Call Out the Disconnect
Football supporters across social media were quick to slam Brady's comments. The seven-time Super Bowl champion called Infantino a "man of the people," and fans weren't having it.
One supporter wrote: "In my lifetime, I have never seen such a big disconnect between celebrities/those in power/wealthy individuals vs regular people. Calling Infantino a man of the people is like pissing in my face and telling me it's raining."
Another fan pointed out the obvious irony: "Nothing says 'man of the people' like making the World Cup unaffordable for the people lol."
The backlash centers on FIFA's recent decisions under Infantino's leadership. The Swiss administrator has been in charge since 2016, and his tenure has been controversial to say the least.
Why Fans Are Angry
The main gripe? FIFA has expanded the World Cup from 32 teams to 48 teams for 2026. While that sounds exciting on paper, fans argue it's pricing out regular supporters.
Ticket prices keep climbing. Travel costs are through the roof. And the tournament itself is becoming more of a corporate spectacle than a fan celebration.
For betting markets, the 2026 World Cup expansion means more matches and more opportunities. But the controversy surrounding FIFA's leadership and accessibility could impact how fans engage with the tournament and betting platforms as the event approaches.
Brady has been getting more involved in soccer ventures lately. His massive profile from American football has given him influence in the sport. But this promotional video shows he might be learning the hard way that football fans don't pull punches when they feel disrespected.
The debate touches on bigger issues too - transparency at FIFA, governance problems, and whether major tournaments still serve everyday fans or just corporate interests. Brady's comments have reignited all those conversations heading into 2026.
