FIFA President defends record ticket prices amid US visa disputes

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the record-breaking ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup, attributing the high costs to the broader North American market rather than organisational overreach. Speaking to reporters on the eve of the tournament opener, Infantino argued that pricing strategies were developed in consultation with legal experts and that lower base prices would simply have inflated secondary market costs, directing revenue away from the sport and towards black market activities.

Ticket prices for the expanded 48-nation tournament start at $140 for group-stage matches, with regular seats for the July 19 final outside New York listed at up to $8,680 and hospitality seats reaching $73,200. Infantino stated that the average ticket price for the tournament remains below $500, a figure he compared to other major American sporting events such as the NBA Finals and the Stanley Cup Final. He noted that FIFA had previously offered 130,000 tickets at $60 to national federations for their regular supporters following initial criticism of the pricing structure.

The president expressed no concern regarding ongoing investigations by state attorneys general in California, New Jersey, New York, and Texas into ticket sales practices. Infantino described FIFA as “very relaxed” about the probes, asserting that the governing body had sought advice from top legal experts before setting prices. He welcomed the investigations, stating that FIFA was prepared to present its case and noting that if their pricing model was illegal, it would likely be the case for other major ticket sellers in North America.

Infantino also addressed the denial of entry to Somali referee Omar Artan at Miami International Airport, citing unspecified “vetting concerns” by US Customs and Border Protection. He emphasised that FIFA lacks the authority to override government security decisions, stating that the organisation must respect national protocols despite the unfortunate nature of the incident. Artan, who holds a diplomatic passport and a valid visa, was barred from entering the United States just days before the tournament’s commencement.

Diplomatic complexities were further highlighted by the situation surrounding the Iranian national team, which relocated its training camp from the United States to Mexico due to tensions between the two nations. Infantino praised FIFA’s efforts to facilitate Iran’s participation, noting that the team would fly to the United States only immediately before their matches. He described the successful inclusion of Iran in the tournament as a significant achievement given the geopolitical context, while also keeping an empty seat at the news conference for imprisoned French journalist Christophe Gleizes.