Rio Ferdinand, one of England’s most recognizable football figures and a former Manchester United star, has found himself in the center of a heated online storm — one triggered not by something on the pitch, but by a remark made while speaking as part of FIFA’s build-up to the 2026 World Cup draw.

Ferdinand, now 47, recently relocated to Dubai with his wife Kate and their children, opting for the glamorous, sunshine-filled lifestyle enjoyed by many high-profile expats in the United Arab Emirates. But that move — and its hefty financial advantages — is exactly why football fans exploded when Ferdinand described himself as a “man of the people.”

The comment came during a media appearance in Washington, D.C., where Ferdinand is serving as one of FIFA’s official hosts for the World Cup draw. BBC journalist Dan Roan pressed Ferdinand on rising ticket prices for the tournament and the growing fear that everyday supporters will be priced out of football’s grandest event.

Roan referenced criticism of “dynamic pricing” — a model where match tickets fluctuate based on demand, pushing costs to staggering heights for premium matches. When asked whether real fans would still be able to attend, Ferdinand leaned into his roots:

“I am a man of the people in terms of I’m from a place where we were always hoping for things to be accessible,” he said. “I know the people behind the scenes at FIFA are working toward that.”

He went on to emphasize FIFA’s awareness of the issue, praising the goal of keeping football inclusive while maintaining a “super elite” product worthy of fans’ investment.

But his good intentions did nothing to stop the wave of fury that erupted online — fury aimed directly at Ferdinand’s personal choices.

Fans across social media instantly pointed out what they saw as the hypocrisy of a wealthy athlete tax-exempt in Dubai lecturing others on affordability.

Among the reactions:

“Man of the people whilst sunning it up in Dubai dodging taxes.”
“I’m a man of the people…but I moved to Dubai to avoid paying tax that may go to…checks notes…the people.”
“Moved to Dubai and stopped contributing to schools, hospitals, pensions…but sure, ‘man of the people.’”

Others noted his involvement in the controversial FIFA event meant he was hardly positioned to criticize how the organization handles fan concerns.

Ferdinand has previously addressed the tax issue directly. Speaking on LBC radio last month, he argued he no longer trusts how UK tax revenue is spent:

“If the health service was absolutely flying… people wouldn’t mind paying tax. But when things are falling apart… is it really going towards the people?”

FIFA’s new pricing model will make World Cup access particularly difficult for loyal traveling supporters. Group-stage tickets will start around $60 (£45), but the cheapest seats for the final may still climb toward $6,730 (£5,013) — all depending on fluctuating demand.

Corporate hospitality prices are even more eye-watering. VIP seats for MetLife Stadium, including the final, range from $3,500 to over $73,000 (£54,490) per person.

And with England expected to be heavily represented by traveling fans, many fear they will be among those hit hardest — a sharp contrast to Ferdinand’s current lifestyle in Dubai.

The move, he says, was motivated not simply by sunshine and wealth but by education and family wellbeing. His two teenage sons, Lorenz and Tate — both pursuing football careers at Brighton & Hove Albion — remain based in England for now. But Ferdinand insists the schooling system in Dubai better supports his younger children and provides stronger community support for families.

“Lifestyle, safety, weather, and just a new life,” he told LBC. “It felt like the right time… after years of my life being driven by the football fixture list.”

The backlash highlights a widening cultural divide within football: while elite ex-players and governing bodies profit from globalized mega-events, fans feel increasingly shut out of what used to be their sport.

For many supporters, Ferdinand’s comments struck a nerve because they represent something bigger — a longtime player of working-class origins now benefiting from a system that leaves regular fans behind.

 

His transition into a high-earning media personality working closely with FIFA only added to the optics.

One comment captured the sentiment bluntly:

“If you’re going to claim you’re one of us, at least stay in the country and pay what we pay.”

As the United States prepares to co-host the most ambitious World Cup ever — 48 teams, 16 stadiums, millions of visitors — fan access remains a growing controversy. Donald Trump, celebrity presenters, and lavish corporate spectacle have already overshadowed the draw’s sports focus.

With Ferdinand literally standing next to FIFA president Gianni Infantino on the global stage, his “man of the people” label may follow him as a symbol of the sport’s uneasy transformation.

Whether he intended it or not, Rio Ferdinand has become the latest figure caught in football’s ongoing battle between wealth and loyalty, the elite and the everyday, glitz and grassroots.

And for many fans, the question remains:
Can a football legend living tax-free in Dubai truly speak for those saving every penny just to see a match?