FIFA president responds to criticism over “extortionate” World Cup ticket prices

The FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, defended World Cup ticket prices on Tuesday, insisting that football’s global governing body was obliged to take advantage of U.S. laws that allow ticket resales for thousands of dollars above face value.

FIFA has faced sharp criticism over World Cup ticket pricing, with the fan organization Football Supporters Europe (FSE) calling the pricing structure “extortionate” and a “monumental betrayal.”

FSE filed a complaint with the European Commission in March targeting FIFA over “excessive ticket prices” for the tournament. Meanwhile, FIFA’s World Cup resale platform, FIFA Marketplace, last week listed four tickets for the July 19 final in New York City at a cost of more than $2 million each (£1.47 million), CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

Speaking at the Global Conference of the Milken Institute in Beverly Hills, Infantino said the staggering prices reflect the demand to watch the World Cup.

“If some people put tickets for the final on the market for $2 million, first of all, that doesn’t mean tickets cost $2 million. And secondly, it doesn’t mean anyone will buy them. And if someone buys a ticket for the final for $2 million, I will personally bring them a hot dog and a Coca-Cola to make sure they have a great experience,” Infantino said.

Fan groups have compared this summer’s ticket pricing with the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The most expensive final ticket in 2022 was about $1,600 at face value, while for the 2026 FIFA World Cup the most expensive final ticket is around $11,000 at its original price.

Infantino insisted that the sharp increase in face-value prices was justified.

“We have to look at the market—we are in the most developed entertainment market in the world. So we must apply market rules. In the U.S., ticket resale is also allowed. If you sold tickets at a very low price, they would simply be resold at a much higher price,” he said.

Infantino also noted that FIFA received over 500 million ticket requests for 2026, compared to fewer than 50 million combined for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. He added that 25% of group-stage tickets were priced below $300.

“You can’t go to watch a college game in the U.S., let alone a high-level professional match, for less than $300. And this is the World Cup,” Infantino concluded.

The World Cup will be held for the first time across three countries—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Photo: FIFA