Infantino Defends World Cup Ticket Prices Amid Criticism

Gianni Infantino, elected President of FIFA in 2016, has addressed the controversy surrounding the pricing of World Cup tickets, asserting that the costs are a reflection of the immense demand for next summer’s tournament.

The ticket pricing structure for the event, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has faced significant backlash, with the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) labeling it as “scandalous.” Group stage tickets are priced up to three times higher than those for the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar, with the cheapest ticket for the final in New Jersey set at £3,119.

Infantino countered this criticism by highlighting the overwhelming demand, stating, “We have six to seven million tickets available and within just 15 days, we received 150 million requests for tickets.” He further noted the extraordinary interest, with an average of 10 million requests per day, demonstrating the World Cup’s global appeal. “In nearly 100 years of the World Cup, FIFA has sold a total of 44 million tickets. To put it into perspective, in just two weeks, we could have filled 300 years’ worth of World Cups. This is absolutely crazy.”

In response to the backlash regarding ticket prices, FIFA has introduced a limited number of “more affordable” tickets priced at £45 for all 104 matches, indicating that they have taken fan feedback into account. A FIFA official stated, “We have listened to feedback, and this new category is the right thing to do.”

Infantino also emphasized the importance of the revenue generated from ticket sales, although he did not disclose specific figures. He remarked, “What’s crucial is that the revenues generated from this are reinvested back into the game globally. Without FIFA, football would not exist in 150 countries around the world. It is thanks to these revenues from the World Cup that we are able to support the sport worldwide.”