FIFA President Gianni Infantino, on the eve of the 2026 World Cup, defended record-high ticket prices and stated that criticism on the matter is exaggerated. This was reported by AP, according to UNN.
Details
During a conversation with journalists, Infantino stated that FIFA's pricing policy is consistent with the situation in the North American market.
"If we are doing something wrong, then probably everyone who sells tickets in North America is doing something wrong,"
According to the agency, ticket prices for group stage matches start at $140, while regular seats for the World Cup final on July 19 near New York cost up to $8,680. Hospitality packages reached as high as $73,200.
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Following a wave of criticism, FIFA allocated 130,000 tickets at $60 each for regular fans of national teams.
Infantino explained the high cost as a measure to combat speculators on the secondary market.
"If you sold it at a lower price, it would go to secondary markets at much higher prices. And where would the money go then? To those who organize secondary markets or black market activities, rather than to football,"
The FIFA President also emphasized that the average ticket price for the tournament, according to him, is less than $500 and is comparable to the cost of attending the final stages of other popular sporting events in the US.
The 2026 World Cup will be the largest tournament in history: 48 national teams will participate, playing 104 matches across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.