FIFA President Fires Back at Critics Over 'Absolutely Crazy' World Cup Ticket Price Controversy
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino delivered a passionate justification for the widely condemned 2026 World Cup ticket pricing, pointing to extraordinary demand as the primary factor driving the exorbitant costs.
Certain tickets for the 2026 World Cup cost five times more than those for the previous tournament held in Qatar in 2022, sparking immediate and harsh criticism from supporters worldwide. During his address at the World Sports Summit in Dubai, Infantino explained the rationale for the steep pricing while making a significant disclosure.
"We're offering six to seven million tickets for sale," Infantino stated via BBC Sport. "Within just 15 days, we received 150 million ticket applications. That's 10 million requests daily. This demonstrates the incredible power of the World Cup.
"Throughout nearly 100 years of World Cup history, FIFA has distributed 44 million tickets total. In just two weeks, we could have accommodated 300 years' worth of World Cups. Picture that. This is completely extraordinary."
The steep pricing will render attending matches at venues throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico during this once-in-a-lifetime World Cup event financially impossible for many supporters. FIFA addressed the criticism by introducing a new, limited category of $60 tickets for all matches.
Infantino acknowledged they had received what he termed "feedback" from critics and stated that the lower-priced option was the "appropriate response." However, the remaining astronomically priced tickets, many reaching thousands of dollars, stay at their current levels.
How Are World Cup Ticket Revenues Utilized?
FIFA's substantial share of World Cup ticket revenue is well-known. With the 2026 tournament being the inaugural 48-team competition, combined with the record-breaking prices, ticket sales revenue will reach historic levels.
Addressing this topic, Infantino emphasized how FIFA plans to reinvest the income from its considerable portion.
"The key point is that revenues generated from this tournament return to football development worldwide," Infantino explained. "Without FIFA, football wouldn't exist in 150 nations globally. Football thrives because of these World Cup revenues that we reinvest internationally."
Whether Infantino's ongoing commitment to global football development materializes remains to be seen. What's undeniable is that the financial income from World Cup ticket sales has the potential for substantial impact.
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