FIFA's Infantino Defends World Cup Ticket Prices, Says Fans 'Should Chill' About Ref Denied US Entry
Infantino said FIFA’s pricing includes 130,000 $60 supporter tickets and compared average costs with U.S. playoff games.
- On Wednesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended World Cup ticket prices, asserting, "If we are doing something wrong, everyone in North America is doing something wrong."
- Amid scrutiny from attorneys general in California, New Jersey, New York, and Texas, Infantino compared tournament pricing to major American sporting events like the NBA Finals.
- FIFA priced tickets starting at $140 for the 48-nation, 104-game tournament, with regular seats for the July 19 final in New Jersey reaching up to $8,680, though 130,000 tickets were offered at lower prices.
- Defending FIFA's stance, Infantino called it "unfortunate" that Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry, saying FIFA cannot dictate government policies though it works "behind the scenes" to find solutions.
- The tournament, which Infantino claimed will be "the biggest event probably in the history of mankind," positions him ahead of seeking another FIFA term next year through 2031.
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106 Articles
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is finally returning to North America, but soaring ticket prices are forcing some of the sport's most dedicated fans to watch from home. Meet the superfans spending thousands and the diehards refusing to pay.
World Cup LIVE: John McGinn earns nervy Scotland win as FIFA confirm VAR failure
World Cup fans pointed out large sections of the stadiums were left empty amid the opening matches of the tournament amid expensive ticket prices. It is an issue that has been noticeable from the start
Los Angeles Times
El Vocero de Puerto RicoFIFA is charging record prices in the 11 US stadiums, three in Mexico and two in Canada.
Tagesschau
sportschau.deThe prices of the tickets and their sale are the attraction for fans at this World Cup. Shortly before the start of the tournament FIFA might have gambled with the prizes in some games.
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