FIFA president Gianni Infantino defends 2026 World Cup ticket prices

TL;DR

FIFA president Gianni Infantino defends the ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup, stating that while some seats are costly, others remain affordable. The pricing has sparked criticism from fan groups, citing significant increases compared to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Key points

FIFA president defends 2026 World Cup ticket prices
Some tickets are deemed affordable while others are expensive
Fan group claims prices are nearly five times higher than 2022
Last-minute ticket sales opened on April 1
Tournament co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada

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2026 World Cup

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended ticket prices at the 2026 World Cup, acknowledging that some seats are expensive but saying others are affordable.

Ticket prices have been a major talking point around this summer's tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Fan group Football Supporters Europe has complained that FIFA's pricing is “extortionate” and claimed that following a team from the tournament's start to finish will cost nearly five times as much as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

FIFA opened its last-minute sales phase on April 1, which sees fans able to buy World Cup tickets on a first-come, first-served basis for the first time.

For many of the 104 games, the only tickets available are in the thousands of dollars. For one semifinal in Atlanta, the only tickets available are $9,660 as of Thursday, April 30.

FIFA also has faced an angry reaction from fans for introducing a "front-row seat" category, a new classification that had been unannounced prior to the opening of the last-minute sales phase.

For the first time, FIFA also has introduced a dynamic-pricing model that sees prices change based on demand.

Amid an outcry from fans worldwide, Infantino said that sales for the tournament in the U.S., Mexico and Canada have still been brisk.

"We sold 100% of the inventory that we put on the market, which is more or less 90% of the global inventory so far," Infantino said during an address at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver on Thursday.

Q&A

What are the ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup?

Ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup vary, with some seats being expensive while others are more affordable.

Why are fans complaining about the 2026 World Cup ticket prices?

Fans, particularly the group Football Supporters Europe, have labeled the prices as 'extortionate,' claiming they are nearly five times higher than those for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

When did FIFA open the last-minute ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup?

FIFA opened its last-minute sales phase for the 2026 World Cup tickets on April 1.

Which countries are co-hosting the 2026 World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.