FIFA president Gianni Infantino has once again defended the high ticket prices for this summer's World Cup, insisting that attending a college game in the United States is more expensive.
Speaking at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, Infantino addressed criticism over the pricing structure and the adoption of dynamic pricing for the tournament.
Football Supporters Europe (FSE) and Euroconsumers have filed complaints with the European Commission after fans in national-team travel clubs and loyalty schemes were offered initial cheapest tickets for the final at over £3,000.
Recently, FIFA's World Cup resale website listed four tickets to the final at $2.3 million each. While FIFA does not control the asking price, it collects a 15% purchase fee from buyers and a 15% resale fee from sellers.
Infantino previously noted that revenue from the flagship tournament funds global football development. He stated: "If some people put on the resale market some tickets for the final at $2 million dollars, number one it doesn’t mean that the tickets cost $2m dollars and number two it doesn’t mean that somebody will buy these tickets."
He added: "And if somebody buys a ticket for the final for $2m dollars, I will personally bring a hot dog and a Coke to make sure that he has a great experience!"
Infantino argued that FIFA must apply market rates in the world's most developed entertainment market. He said: "In the US, it is permitted to resell tickets as well, so if you were to sell tickets at the price which is too low, these tickets will be resold at a much higher price."
He noted that 25% of group-stage tickets are available for less than $300, adding: "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 dollars. And this is the World Cup!"
