Gianni Infantino, president of the International Federation of Football (FIFA), defended the ticket prices for the matches of the 2026 World Cup, stating that the organizing body complies with the laws in force in the United States, which authorize the resale of tickets at prices that can far exceed their initial value. He argued that this practice is part of the reality of the sports and entertainment market today.
Infantino’s statements come amid a climate of sharp criticism aimed at FIFA, after the Football Supporters Europe organization described the pricing structure as “abusive” and a “major betrayal,” referring to the steep rise in ticket prices compared with previous editions of the tournament.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the controversy over the increase in ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup has intensified to the point that a complaint was filed last March with the European Commission against FIFA. Supporters denounce prices deemed excessive and incompatible with the nature of the world’s largest football event.
In response to these criticisms, Infantino stressed that FIFA could not ignore the mechanisms of the American market. He explained that the legal resale of tickets often leads to a sharp rise in prices on the secondary market, which, in his view, makes it illogical to set prices very low from the outset. He added that football has today become a component of a vast global entertainment industry, which must be approached according to the rules of supply and demand.
The FIFA president also noted that some tickets, despite the controversy, continue to generate unprecedented demand. He clarified that FIFA had received more than 500 million ticket requests for the 2026 World Cup, compared with less than 50 million in total for the 2018 and 2022 editions, reflecting the scale of global interest in the upcoming tournament.
In an attempt to ease the criticism, Infantino revealed that about 25% of the group-stage tickets would be offered for less than $300, ensuring that the diversity of pricing categories is intended to allow different audiences to attend the matches.
He also commented on the controversy in an unusual way, stating that if someone bought a final ticket on the black market for two million dollars, he would personally bring them a hot dog and a soft drink to guarantee them an exceptional experience.
As the controversy over ticket prices intensifies, the 2026 World Cup remains at the center of global attention, both in terms of organization and the unprecedented level of demand, for an edition that is expected to be the most significant in the history of the tournament in terms of participation and attendance.
