Evelina Christillin says World Cup 2026 too long and expects further expansion

Former UEFA official and FIFA Council member Evelina Christillin told Rai Radio 1 that the 2026 World Cup, being staged across Canada, Mexico and the United States, is "working" but is excessively long. She compared the pre‑match countdown to the NBA, noted the high ticket prices and said the tournament feels like a menu with too many dishes.

Christillin highlighted that six European teams are competing in the knockout stage, that the event has generated an estimated 9.5 million tonnes of CO₂ – roughly the annual emissions of Rome – and warned that FIFA president Gianni Infantino is likely to enlarge future editions even further, running unchallenged for re‑election.

She also criticised recent FIFA decisions, such as awarding a peace prize to former US President Donald Trump and the subsequent bombing of Iran, and used the platform to comment on the state of Italian football, calling for reforms and mentioning Juventus’s new sporting director.

Overall, Christillin portrayed the tournament as “very American” in style while urging the sport’s governing bodies to address its length and environmental impact.