Carragher clashes with Rio Ferdinand over exorbitant World Cup ticket prices

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has criticised ex-England player Rio Ferdinand for failing to speak out against the high ticket prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The controversy began when Ferdinand tagged Carragher on his X page to comment on Mohamed Salah being applauded by Liverpool fans after their Premier League win over Brighton and Hove Albion.

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The former Manchester United defender wrote: “Thoughts @Carra23? ‘Mo Salah’ being sung by the Kop.”

Carragher, a Sky Sports analyst, responded by acknowledging Salah’s strong performance when given the opportunity to play.

He then went further, questioning Ferdinand on why he has not addressed the exorbitant ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup.

Carragher hinted that Ferdinand’s payment for serving as Master of Ceremonies at the tournament draw may have influenced his silence.

“And rightly so, he was fantastic when he came on. Thoughts on the price of the World Cup tickets @rioferdy5? A man of the people would surely call @FIFAcom & Infantino out. Or was your pay packet for the draw (acting) enough to buy your silence?” Carragher tweeted on X.

FIFA has faced increasing pressure from football fans and advocacy groups, who have criticized the ticket prices for the 2026 tournament, noting they are significantly higher than those for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Read the tweet below:

And rightly so, he was fantastic when he came on.

Thoughts on the price of the World Cup tickets @rioferdy5

A man of the people would surely call @FIFAcom & Infantino out 🤷🏻‍♂️

Or was your pay packet for the draw (acting 🤯😭) to buy your silence 🤫 https://t.co/TMcV0QhYZ6

— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) December 13, 2025