FIFA World Cup: Infantino defends high ticket prices
There will no be empty stadium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches as ticket demands are high, according to the president.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has jumped to the defence of next year’s World Cup ticket prices.
The world’s football governing body has been widely criticised for the high ticket prices, in particular Football Supporters’ Association (FSA).
FSA described the ticket pricing as scandalous before FIFA introduced a small amount of ‘affordable tickets’ for all the matches.
Now, Infantino said while there’s a public outcry, the demands for the FIFA World Cup have been very high.
FIFA had previously announced that with dynamic pricing in place, tickets can start as low as $60 (R1000) for early group-stage matches.
However, the prices may rise to as high as $6,730 (R111 949,17) for the World Cup final in New Jersey.
And after the backlash, the cheapest ticket became $45 (R748,41) as FIFA attempted to remedy the situation.
Nonetheless, Infantino said while some fans are still complaining, others continue to buy World Cup tickets.
Furthermore, he said the money made from the ticket sales will be reinvested into football worldwide.
Also read | 2026 FIFA World Cup prize money: Bafana in for huge payday!
FIFA WORLD CUP: INFANTINO SAYS TICKET DEMANDS ARE HIGH
“We have six to seven million tickets on sale and in 15 days we received 150 million ticket requests,” said Infantino as per BBC Sport.
“So 10 million ticket requests every single day. It shows how powerful the World Cup is.
“In the almost 100 years of the World Cup, FIFA has sold 44 million tickets in total. So, in two weeks we could have filled 300 years of World Cups. Imagine that. This is absolutely crazy.
“What’s crucial is that the revenues that are generated from this are going back to the game all over the world,” he continued.
“Without FIFA there would be no football in 150 countries in the world. There is football because, and thanks to, these revenues we generate with, and from, the World Cup which we reinvest all over the world.”
WHEN IS THE START OF THE TOURNAMENT?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico will get underway on Thursday, 11 June.
On the day, Bafana Bafana will take on co-hosts Mexico in what will be a repeat of the 2010 edition in South Africa.