FIFA president Gianni Infantino has robustly defended the controversial ticket pricing for the 2026 World Cup, despite a fierce backlash from supporters' groups worldwide.
Fan Fury and FIFA's Concession
The announcement of prices for next summer's tournament, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, has sparked global anger. In response to the outcry, FIFA was forced to introduce a new, cheaper ticket tier. They will now offer £45 Supporter Entry Tier tickets at every game.
However, for many fans, the overall cost remains prohibitively high. A stark example is the price for the 2026 final, where the cheapest standard ticket will cost an eye-watering £3,129. This represents a massive increase compared to the last tournament.
Infantino's Justification: Funding Global Football
Speaking at the World Sports Summit in Dubai, Infantino argued that the revenue generated is essential for the sport's ecosystem. He stated that without FIFA's income from the World Cup, "there would be no football in 150 countries in the world."
He emphasised that the money is reinvested globally, sustaining the game at all levels. "What’s crucial is that the revenues that are generated from this are going back to the game all over the world," Infantino said.
"Crazy" Demand Justifies Pricing, Says FIFA Chief
The FIFA president pointed to unprecedented demand as validation for the pricing strategy. He revealed that in the first 15 days of sales, FIFA received a staggering 150 million ticket requests.
"In two weeks... we could've filled 300 years of World Cups. Imagine that. This is absolutely crazy," Infantino claimed. He described the 2026 event as "30 times oversubscribed" and a "true showcase of incredible demand."
Infantino concluded by framing the tournament as a historic, unifying event, stating FIFA aims to "bring the world together like never before in a celebration of unity and the best of football."
