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 Over Sky-High Costs
The announcement of prices for next summer's tournament, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, has sparked significant anger. The most stark example is the cost of the final, where the cheapest standard ticket is priced at an eye-watering £3,129. This represents a massive increase compared to the previous tournament.
In response to the widespread criticism, FIFA has already been forced into a policy shift. It will now offer a new, budget-friendly 'Supporter Entry Tier' of tickets for every match, priced at £45. However, for many fans, especially those following teams like England, the overall cost of attending remains prohibitively high.
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. "Without FIFA, there would be no football in 150 countries in the world," he stated. He claimed that the income from the World Cup is reinvested globally, sustaining the game's development.
To illustrate demand, Infantino revealed staggering sales figures. He said that with six to seven million tickets available, FIFA received 150 million ticket requests in the first 15 days of sales—an average of 10 million requests daily. "In the almost 100 years of history of the World Cup, FIFA has sold 44 million tickets in total," he added. "So, in two weeks... we could've filled 300 years of World Cups."
Unprecedented Demand vs. Affordability Crisis
FIFA has hailed the response as proof of the tournament's immense popularity, calling it "30 times oversubscribed" and a showcase of demand from over 200 countries. The organisation promises the 2026 event will be "the greatest and most inclusive show on the planet."
Nevertheless, this justification does little to placate fan groups who argue that the core pricing model excludes ordinary supporters. The tension highlights a growing conflict in modern sport: balancing commercial revenue with the game's accessibility for its most loyal followers. The introduction of the £45 tier is a direct concession, but the debate over the value of a World Cup ticket is far from settled.
