Infantino defends World Cup ticket prices, addresses referee entry issue

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended World Cup ticket prices on November 6, 2026, stating that critics should hold the broader North American market accountable if FIFA was perceived as overcharging. Speaking ahead of the tournament opener, he mentioned that FIFA did not have the authority to influence US visa decisions but noted efforts made to secure entry for Iran's national team.

Infantino remarked, "If we do something wrong, then probably everyone selling tickets in North America is doing something wrong." This statement came during a rare press conference on the eve of the opening match of an expanded tournament featuring 48 nations and 104 games. He addressed the high ticket prices, which started at $140 for group-stage matches, with final match tickets listed as high as $8,680 and hospitality seats reaching $73,200. After facing criticism, FIFA offered tickets at $60 to national federations for their regular supporters, amounting to 130,000 tickets in that category. In comparison, ticket prices at the previous tournament in Qatar ranged from $69 to $1,607.

Infantino argued that selling tickets at a lower price point would lead to higher resale values in secondary markets, benefiting unauthorized sellers instead of football. He claimed the average ticket price for the tournament was below $500, aligning with ticket prices seen in major US sporting events, although this assertion did not hold true for listed prices compared to other sports like Major League Baseball and the NFL.

He expressed no concern regarding investigations into ticket pricing by attorneys general from several states, explaining that FIFA had consulted extensively with legal experts before selling approximately 6.5 to 7 million tickets. "When it comes to these legal investigations or complaints... we are very relaxed about it," he stated.

Infantino referenced the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Finals as examples of high ticket prices seen in similar events. He welcomed legal investigations and expressed confidence in UEFA's compliance with laws.

On the topic of the Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry into the US, Infantino expressed disappointment but maintained that FIFA could not control the situation fully. Artan, who was to be the first Somali referee at a World Cup, faced entry denial due to unspecified concerns.

Infantino acknowledged the ongoing challenges posed by security measures but stated that FIFA was making efforts to resolve such issues. He praised FIFA for its work in facilitating Iran's participation in the tournament despite tensions between the US and Iran, noting that the Iranian team relocated its training to Mexico and would arrive in the US shortly before matches.

With the tournament expected to generate $11 billion in revenue, Infantino insisted that FIFA had made choices to keep viewership accessible, stating that charging for all views could yield revenues of $30 billion but would limit access. He concluded by stressing his commitment to making the World Cup inclusive, despite past controversies reminiscent of his earlier presidency.