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FIFA president Gianni Infantino defends the high ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup, claiming they reflect competition with the broader U.S. entertainment market. His justification has faced backlash from fans concerned about affordability.
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Photo by Luiza Moraes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the high prices for the 2026 World Cup, and his reasoning is not sitting well with fans.
With the tournament set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, ticket prices have already drawn criticism for being out of reach for many supporters.
But Infantino believes the pricing reflects something much bigger. In his view, the World Cup is not just a football tournament. It is competing directly with the entire U.S. entertainment market.
Photo by Elizabeth Ruiz Ruiz â FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Speaking via Front Office Sports, Infantino explained why FIFA has taken this approach.
âWe 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.
âIn the U.S., 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,â Infantino said.
He added, âAnd as a matter of fact, even though some people are saying that the ticket prices we have are high, they still end up on the resale market at an even higher price, more than double our price.â
Ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup are high because FIFA president Gianni Infantino argues they reflect competition with the entire U.S. entertainment market.
Infantino believes that the World Cup is not just a football tournament but competes with various entertainment options available in the U.S.
Fans have criticized the ticket prices for being out of reach, expressing concern over affordability for many supporters.
The 2026 World Cup will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

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Infantinoâs argument is rooted in demand. With the U.S. hosting the majority of matches and global interest at an all-time high, FIFA expects resale markets to drive prices up regardless of the initial listing.
So instead of underpricing tickets, the organization is choosing to match what it believes the market will ultimately pay.
To further justify the pricing, Infantino pointed to another American staple.
âWe have 25% of the group stage tickets which can be bought for less than $300,â the FIFA boss stated. âYou cannot go to watch in the U.S. a college game, not even speaking about a top professional game of a certain level, for less than $300. And this is the World Cup.â
The comparison to college football has raised eyebrows, especially given the cultural and pricing differences between domestic sports and a global tournament traditionally known for accessibility.
While it is true that premium NCAA and NFL tickets can reach high prices, many fans argue that comparing those events to the World Cup ignores the tournamentâs global audience and its history of wider affordability.
There is also the broader concern around added costs. Travel, accommodation, and local expenses in U.S. host cities are already expected to be significantly higher than in previous World Cups.
That means even âlower-tierâ tickets could still result in an expensive overall experience. For FIFA, the strategy is clear: price based on demand in one of the worldâs biggest entertainment markets.
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