Gianni Infantino Defends World Cup Ticket Prices Amid ‘Crazy’ Global Demand

Gianni Infantino has defended the cost of tickets for next summer’s World Cup, insisting prices reflect extraordinary global demand for the tournament.

The competition, which will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, has faced heavy criticism over its pricing structure. The Football Supporters’ Association has labelled the costs  “scandalous”, with group-stage tickets costing up to three times more than those for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the cheapest ticket for the final in New Jersey priced at £3,119.

However, speaking at the World Sports Summit in Dubai on Monday, Infantino said demand has far exceeded supply.

“We have six to seven million tickets on sale and in 15 days we received 150 million ticket requests,” he said.
“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.”

Following backlash from fans and supporter organisations, FIFA introduced a limited number of more affordable £45 tickets for all 104 matches.

“We have listened to feedback and this new category is the right thing to do,” a Fifa official close to the discussions told BBC Sport.

Infantino also stressed that revenue generated from ticket sales would be reinvested into football worldwide, although he did not specify how much would be redistributed.

“What’s crucial is that the revenues that are generated from this are going back to the game all over the world,” he said.
“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.”

Despite those assurances, criticism from supporters’ groups has continued, with many arguing that the high cost risks pricing out traditional fans from the world’s biggest football tournament.