Victor Montagliani foresees a significant transformation in the football scene of North America, crediting the forthcoming World Cup as a pivotal force for a “cultural revolution” that may position Major League Soccer (MLS) alongside the Premier League.
In an insightful conversation, the president of Concacaf and vice president of FIFA elaborated on several key points:
- He defended the high ticket pricing strategy for the tournament, asserting that a World Cup held in North America represents FIFA’s greatest financial opportunity, crucial for the advancement of football globally.
- Montagliani firmly asserted that Donald Trump will have no involvement in the tournament, stressing that FIFA encompasses more than just one individual.
- He noted that it is too early to consider extending the World Cup to 64 teams, a proposal supported by South America’s CONMEBOL.
- The FIFA leader expressed excitement about the possibility of expanding the Club World Cup to 48 teams, suggesting such a move could enhance quality and stimulate financial growth.
- He hinted at a potential candidacy for the FIFA presidency in 2031, following Gianni Infantino’s anticipated re-election next year.
Montagliani has been a long-time proponent for Canada to host the World Cup, previously advocating for it during his tenure as president of the Canadian Soccer Association in 2012. Since taking the reins at Concacaf in 2016, he has been instrumental in promoting the tournament. After attending the inaugural match in Mexico City, where the local team faced South Africa, he is eager to witness Canada’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, an event he approaches with heartfelt anticipation.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Montagliani shared,
“It’s been a unique experience, one of the best things I’ve done in my career. It’s in my backyard, it’s my confederation, and one of the hosts is my country. It will be special.”
He highlighted the remarkable progress in North American soccer since the successful bid, noting that Canada was without a professional league just eight years ago. Now, Canadian teams are effectively transferring players to major European clubs and competing in elite tournaments. He emphasized the significant influence of Messi in MLS, showcasing the league’s development.
Montagliani underscored,
“Soccer has just grown and grown and then the American economy continues to grow. So those factors have come together to create this huge mega event.”
He firmly believes that this growth is only the beginning, viewing the World Cup as a potential turning point in establishing football as a genuine North American sport.
Montagliani remarked,
“I think the legacy here will be the cultural revolution of the game in North America, where we no longer think of it as a global sport that we’re not part of, where it’s a European thing. Soccer will become our sport, and we will belong in the conversation of a global sport.”
He predicts that MLS possesses immense potential, suggesting it could develop into the second-largest league worldwide, or even the largest in the long run.
He stated,
“Just look at the ownership group – how strong it is and how international it is. And then consider the American attitude. I’ve grown up my whole life next to the US, it’s a reality of being Canadian. And I’ve never known anything that our friends from the south do where they want to be number eight in the world, or number 10 in the world. Their attitude is we want to be the best in the world. There’s nothing stopping them trying to be the best league in the world.”
Montagliani commended the outstanding fan experience at MLS stadiums and the top-notch training facilities, while stressing that the quality of play is what ultimately counts. He asserted that drawing in more star players and raising salary caps could greatly elevate the league’s competitiveness.
Amid the discussions surrounding ticket prices for the World Cup, which have ignited controversy due to their steep costs, Montagliani remained hopeful. He argued that FIFA has a rare opportunity to increase revenues, which are expected to hit $13 billion for this event.
He claimed,
“This must be the biggest global event that’s ever taken place in terms of the size and scope. From every metric that I’ve heard, it’s the biggest sporting event in the history of the world.”
Montagliani acknowledged that while subsequent World Cups may not achieve the same financial success, there will be other avenues for revenue enhancement, especially with the forthcoming Women’s World Cup.
He mentioned,
“Every Women’s World Cup used to lose money. Now it’s right on the edge in terms of profitability. So there’s tremendous growth in that one.”
The growth of the World Cup to 48 teams has also been a crucial element in its expansion, he noted, while expressing doubts about a further increase to 64 teams in 2030.
Montagliani confessed he had initial reservations about the initial expansion but has since become more at ease with the 48-team format. He stated,
“I think the conversation about expanding further can’t be had until we’ve had a couple of cycles of this format. We need to be a little bit more prudent.”
As the tournament draws near, Montagliani expressed confidence that political obstacles will not undermine its success, despite recent tensions related to visa issues for the Iranian team members.
He stated,
“President Trump will not have an impact on the tournament. None. I mean, it’s about football, man.”
Montagliani has long been viewed as a potential successor to Infantino, who is expected to be re-elected unopposed next year. While his immediate focus remains on his re-election as Concacaf president, he has not ruled out the possibility of a future bid for the FIFA presidency.
He concluded,
“That’s a long time away, first and foremost. And my focus has always been and will continue to be on Concacaf.”
Ultimately, Montagliani believes that the core of football will always prevail, stating,
“One thing I’ve learned that always saves us in football, is the game itself.”
