Shortly before the start of the tournament
“Impudence”: Streich criticizes Infantino and Trump
June 11, 2026 – 8:52 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
Christian Streich has become a Bundesliga legend thanks to his successful work at SC Freiburg. He looks critically at FIFA and especially at President Gianni Infantino.
Christian Streich will be seen as a TV expert on ZDF at today’s World Cup opening game. Before the tournament, the long-time Freiburg coach clearly criticized FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
In an interview with “Kicker,” Streich particularly took aim at Infantino’s dealings with US President Donald Trump. “Such a staging by a few people in power, some of whom then allow themselves to claim that they are protecting democratic values, is of course an audacity that leaves one speechless,” said Streich.
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He is “really concerned” that events that used to take place behind the scenes are now “fully presented publicly.” As an example, he cited the awarding of a peace prize created by FIFA to Trump in December last year. “On the other hand, almost nothing surprises you anymore.”
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Streich assesses the increase in the World Cup to 48 participants, which has been criticized by many, in a differentiated way. For him, there is one aspect in particular that speaks for it: smaller associations such as Curaçao or Cape Verde could also qualify and benefit from sports.
“That would be the dominance of the powerful”
The FIFA fees bring “a relatively large amount of money into these small associations,” said Streich. “As a large football nation that has always qualified for the World Cup, we cannot claim that we only want to play at 16 or 24. That would be the power of those in power.”
The 61-year-old was much more critical of the admission prices. “What is currently happening with the tickets at the World Cup is perverse: profit maximization at any price and at the expense of many people,” said Streich. “It’s so elitist, and I don’t think the people who can pay for it will say, ‘It’s great that the others can’t get in. Where else do different social classes come together? During sports or at most in facilities like a swimming pool.’
Despite his criticism, Streich doesn’t want to let his enthusiasm for football be taken away from him. “At some point I thought: Who actually owns the game? Everyone! And I’m one of them. Should I now let everything, this joy of this great game, which continues to connect people around the world, be ruined because of a few?”