FIFA President Gianni Infantino has responded with a touch of humor to the criticism surrounding ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup. Recent reports that new VIP category tickets for tournament matches could reach $2,300 have sparked significant debate among fans.
Speaking at an event in Beverly Hills, Gianni Infantino addressed the topic with a joke:
— If someone buys a two-million-dollar ticket for the final, I will personally bring them a hot dog and a Coke. I just want them to enjoy the game, — said the FIFA chief.
He emphasized that the organization must take market rules into account.
— We are operating in a country with one of the most developed entertainment markets in the world. Therefore, we have to account for market prices. In the USA, ticket resale is also officially permitted. If we set the prices too low, they will just be sold at even higher prices on the secondary market, — said Infantino.
The FIFA president noted that despite some fans being unhappy with the prices, ticket values on resale platforms could double.
At the same time, he stressed that not all tickets are prohibitively expensive. It is reported that nearly 25 percent of tickets allocated for the group stage will be sold for less than $300.
According to FIFA, over 500 million applications for 2026 World Cup tickets have already been received. This is a massive figure compared to the previous two tournaments, where the number of applications was around 50 million.
As a reminder, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. It is expected to be one of the largest tournaments in history.
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