Infantino Addresses Ticket Pricing Concerns for 2026 FIFA World Cup
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has recently addressed worries regarding the high ticket prices for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. He argues that ticket prices should be somewhat elevated, perhaps not overly so, but certainly above a bare minimum.
During a talk at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles on May 5, Infantino responded to reports showcasing astronomical ticket resale prices—some soaring to millions of dollars.
He noted, “World Cup tickets quickly spiraled out of control, reaching over $2 million.” A staggering 500 million ticket requests have poured in for the tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Infantino mentioned that 25% of tickets for the group stage are available for under $300, yet the average ticket price hovers around $1,600. He remarked that promoting lower ticket prices would not be practical.
“I think there are elements that need to be understood,” he explained. “We are in the most developed market for entertainment in the world, so we have to apply market rates.”
Infantino elaborated that if ticket prices were set too low, they would inevitably be resold at much higher prices than their initial value. In the U.S., like it or not, resale of tickets is permitted. He added, “If you sell tickets at too low a price, those tickets will be resold at a much higher price.”
His reasoning suggests that while a lower initial price might lead to a lower resale price, higher prices essentially deter resellers from swooping in, as the tickets are already close to market value. Interesting, right? The dynamics of resale can get quite complicated, as various studies—including one by the FTC on concert tickets—have yet to yield clear conclusions.
In any case, ticket prices have indeed escalated, with some reaching over $2 million. Reports indicate that tickets for the July 19 finals at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey are being listed for as much as $2,299,998.85. And it’s worth mentioning that these prices are displayed on FIFA’s own resale platform, where they collect a 15% commission from both buyers and sellers.
“Just because a ticket is listed for $2 million doesn’t mean anyone will buy it,” Infantino remarked, humorously adding, “If someone buys me a ticket to the finals for $2 million, I’ll personally bring them a hot dog and a Coke.”
He further noted that even fees for matches, like the June 16 event featuring Iraq vs. Norway in Foxboro, Massachusetts, surpass $9,844 as of now, adding that prices remain generally lower than what one would pay for a typical college sporting event in the U.S. “You can’t go to a college game for less than $300—even a top professional game at a certain level,” he asserted, adding a layer of perspective.
