FIFA: Gianni Infantino defends rising ticket prices for 2026 World Cup

Gianni Infantino has defended the rising cost of tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after growing criticism over prices linked to matches, including the final.

Concerns have increased in recent weeks following reports that some tickets available on the market are being offered at extremely high prices, with certain listings for the World Cup final reportedly exceeding €11,000.

The tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, has not yet begun, but debate over affordability is already becoming one of the major talking points surrounding the competition.

Speaking during a conference in Beverly Hills, Infantino responded directly to criticism and insisted that pricing was being shaped by market demand.

“We need to look at the market (…) That’s why we need to apply market prices,” Infantino insisted.

The FIFA president defended the overall approach by pointing to the wider sports culture in the United States, where ticket prices for major events are often significantly higher than in many other parts of the world.

According to Infantino, the prices attached to the World Cup should therefore not be viewed as unusual within the American sports market.

“You can’t watch a college game (…) for less than $300,” he pointed out.

The comments came as supporters and observers continued to question whether ordinary football fans would still be able to attend matches at the tournament, particularly high-profile fixtures such as the final.

The issue has also drawn attention because of the increasing role of resale platforms, where ticket prices can rise dramatically depending on demand.

Infantino attempted to distinguish between FIFA’s official pricing structure and speculative resale activity taking place on secondary markets.

“If some people are offering tickets to the final for two million dollars (…) that doesn’t mean anyone will buy those tickets.”

The FIFA president suggested that inflated resale listings should not automatically be interpreted as the real market value of tickets.

While criticism over pricing has continued, FIFA’s leadership appears determined to maintain its current position as preparations for the expanded tournament move forward.

The 2026 World Cup is expected to be one of the biggest editions in the competition’s history, with matches spread across several major North American cities.

That scale, combined with strong global demand and the commercial appeal of the tournament, is likely to keep ticket prices under close scrutiny in the coming months.

For many supporters, concerns remain over accessibility and whether fans from different parts of the world will be able to attend matches without facing major financial barriers.

The debate has become particularly intense around the final, where some unofficial listings have attracted attention because of their exceptionally high prices.

Infantino, however, appeared keen to downplay some of the more extreme figures circulating online.

The FIFA president also ended his remarks with a lighter comment while discussing reports of tickets being listed at extraordinary prices.

“If someone buys them, we’ll personally bring them a hot dog and a Coke to make sure they have a great experience.”

The remark prompted laughter during the conference, but it also reflected FIFA’s attempt to ease tension surrounding the subject.

Despite the humour, the controversy around ticket prices is unlikely to disappear soon.

With the tournament still approaching and demand expected to continue rising, questions surrounding affordability, resale practices and fan access are likely to remain central topics ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA’s position, however, appears clear.

The organisation believes the pricing reflects the realities of the market in a country where major sporting events regularly attract premium costs, and Infantino has shown little sign of retreating from that stance.

As anticipation builds for football’s biggest tournament, the debate over who can afford to be part of it is already intensifying long before the opening match is played.