Gianni Infantino, the president of Fifa, has defended the high ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup, arguing that the global football governing body must align with US market practices where resale values can soar to thousands of dollars above face value.
Criticism Over Pricing
Fifa has faced intense backlash over the cost of tickets for the tournament, with fan organisation Football Supporters Europe (FSE) describing the pricing as "extortionate" and a "monumental betrayal." In March, FSE filed a lawsuit with the European Commission against Fifa over what they claim are excessive ticket prices.
Last week, Fifa's resale website listed four tickets for the final at $2.3 million each. While Fifa does not set these asking prices, it charges a 15% purchase fee from the buyer and a 15% resale fee from the seller. This means that if a ticket sells at $2.3 million, Fifa would earn $690,000 from the transaction.
Comparison with Previous Tournaments
Fan groups have highlighted stark differences compared to the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The most expensive face-value ticket for the 2022 final was around $1,600, while for 2026, the top price has risen to approximately $11,000. Infantino justified this steep increase by pointing to market dynamics.
Speaking at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, Infantino said: "We have to look at the market – we are in the market in which entertainment is the most developed in the world. So we have to apply market rates." He added that in the US, ticket resale is permitted, and if prices were set too low, they would simply be resold at much higher prices.
Demand and Pricing Strategy
Infantino noted that Fifa received over 500 million ticket requests for 2026, compared to fewer than 50 million combined for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. He also pointed out that 25% of group-stage tickets are priced under $300, arguing that even college games in the US often cost more.
"You cannot go to watch in the US a college game, not even speaking about a top professional game of a certain level, for less than $300," Infantino said. "And this is the World Cup."
In contrast, tickets for the New York Yankees' next home game, one of the most popular professional teams in the US, were available for as little as $11 on Wednesday morning.
Infantino also addressed the resale market, saying: "If some people put on the resale market some tickets for the final at $2 million, number one it doesn't mean that the tickets cost $2 million. And number two it doesn't mean that somebody will buy these tickets. And if somebody buys a ticket for the final for $2 million I will personally bring him a hotdog and a Coke to make sure that he has a great experience."
