By SF Radar Sports Desk

The 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered unforgettable moments.

Spain lifted the trophy after a tense final against Argentina, new footballing nations announced themselves on the biggest stage, and the expanded 48-team tournament proved that global football’s talent pool runs deeper than many expected.

Yet beneath the spectacle lies an uncomfortable truth for FIFA: many supporters left feeling that football’s governing body has drifted too far from the people who made the World Cup the world’s greatest sporting event.

The tournament showcased football at its finest. Now FIFA has four years to improve the experience around it.

Here are seven changes that could restore fan confidence before the next World Cup.

1. Make Tickets Affordable Again

For many supporters, attending the World Cup has become a luxury reserved for wealthy fans or corporate clients.

Between ticket prices, accommodation, flights and food, following a national team throughout the tournament can cost thousands of dollars.

Football built its reputation as the working person’s game. FIFA should ensure every stadium includes a meaningful allocation of low-cost tickets reserved for genuine supporters.

A World Cup atmosphere depends on passionate fans, not empty premium seats.

“The best World Cup atmosphere isn’t bought. It’s created by supporters.”

2. Bring More Transparency to VAR

VAR has improved officiating in many situations, but confusion remains.

Fans inside stadiums often have no idea why play has stopped or what officials are reviewing.

Rugby offers a better model.

Referees explain decisions through stadium microphones while giant screens display replays and graphics.

Football should embrace the same transparency.

Instead of leaving supporters frustrated, FIFA could make VAR part of the entertainment and educational experience.

3. Reduce Commercial Interruptions

Corporate sponsorship pays for elite football, but many supporters feel the World Cup increasingly resembles a month-long advertising festival.

Sponsors deserve visibility.

Fans deserve football.

Future tournaments should prioritize the matchday experience over constant promotional messaging inside stadiums and broadcasts.

The stars should be the players, not the advertising.

4. Improve Scheduling for Global Audiences

With matches spread across numerous time zones, millions of supporters struggled to watch games live.

While accommodating host nations will always come first, FIFA could better balance kickoff times so major matches remain accessible to audiences across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.

The World Cup belongs to the world.

Scheduling should reflect that.

5. Crack Down on Ticket Scalping

Many supporters watched resale prices climb to several times face value.

Technology already exists to solve much of the problem.

Digital identity verification, controlled resale platforms and capped resale prices would help genuine supporters obtain tickets while reducing profiteering.

Football tickets should reward loyalty, not speculation.

6. Improve Stadium Experiences

Watching football inside a stadium should offer advantages over staying home.

Many fans complained about long concession lines, expensive food, poor mobile connectivity and limited access to real-time match information.

Simple investments could dramatically improve the experience:

• Faster entry systems
• Better Wi-Fi coverage
• Affordable food and drinks
• Larger information screens
• Improved transport after matches

The little things often determine whether fans remember the tournament fondly.

7. Listen to Fans Between World Cups

Perhaps the biggest opportunity is the simplest.

Supporters often feel consulted only after controversy erupts.

FIFA could establish permanent global fan councils representing every continent, publishing annual reports showing how supporter feedback influences decisions.

Modern football generates enormous amounts of data.

Listening to supporters should become part of that strategy.

“The World Cup doesn’t belong to FIFA alone. It belongs to billions of fans.”

Football’s Greatest Strength Remains Its People

The football itself rarely disappoints.

Every World Cup creates new heroes, unforgettable goals and stories that unite countries.

What supporters increasingly question is everything surrounding those ninety minutes.

The next four years give FIFA an opportunity to rebuild trust and not through slogans, but through practical reforms that make supporters feel valued again.

If football truly is “the world’s game,” then every decision should begin with a simple question:

Does this make the World Cup better for the fans?

If the answer is yes, confidence will follow. If not, even the greatest tournament on Earth risks losing the people who made it great in the first place.