FIFA President Gianni Infantino Responds to Criticism Over 2026 World Cup Ticket Pricing

FIFA President Gianni Infantino staunchly defended the controversial ticket pricing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup during his address at the World Sports Summit in Dubai on December 29, 2025. The remarks marked his first public comments since fan groups and supporters launched widespread criticism earlier in the month, labeling the prices as "extortionate" and "astronomical." Infantino highlighted the unprecedented demand, revealing that FIFA had received 150 million ticket requests in just the first two weeks of sales, despite offering six to seven million tickets across the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The massive volume of requests, Infantino argued, demonstrated the extraordinary global appeal of the World Cup. He noted that the majority of applications came from the United States, followed by Germany and Britain. In a striking comparison, he pointed out that in the entire 100-year history of the World Cup, FIFA has sold a total of 44 million tickets. By contrast, the current surge meant that in just 15 days, demand could theoretically fill 300 years' worth of previous tournaments. He described the level of interest as "absolutely crazy," underscoring the event's unmatched popularity and cultural significance.

Infantino emphasized that all revenues generated from ticket sales, broadcasting rights, and sponsorships would be reinvested into football development worldwide. He described FIFA as the only global organization that finances football in more than 150 countries, many of which rely heavily on these funds to sustain grassroots programs, infrastructure, and national federations. Without the financial support derived from major events like the World Cup, he claimed, football would not exist in its current form in numerous nations.

Also Read: Magnus Carlsen Reacts in Frustration After Blitz Loss to Arjun Erigaisi at FIDE Worlds

The pricing controversy erupted earlier in December when initial ticket categories were revealed, with some seats reportedly costing nearly five times more than comparable tickets for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Fan advocacy group Football Supporters Europe (FSE) was among the most vocal critics, arguing that the high costs would exclude many genuine supporters from attending matches. In response to the backlash, FIFA introduced a limited number of more affordable tickets priced at $60, though this allocation represents only a small fraction of the overall inventory.

The 2026 World Cup, the first to be staged across three countries and expanded to 48 teams, is expected to be the largest and most commercially successful edition in history. Infantino's comments reflect FIFA's strategy of capitalizing on record demand to maximize revenue while maintaining that the financial benefits ultimately serve the global football community. As ticket sales continue and the tournament draws closer, the debate over accessibility versus financial sustainability is likely to persist among fans, supporters' groups, and football authorities worldwide.

Also Read: Ashwin Declares Varun Chakravarthy India’s Most Influential Bowler of 2025