The FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has come forward to explain the soaring ticket prices for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, stating that demand has reached staggering heights. During a press conference in Washington, D.C., on December 6, 2025, he revealed that over 150 million requests for tickets had been made during the latest sales phase. This surge in interest is unprecedented and underscores the World Cup's immense popularity.
Infantino emphasized that the revenue generated from the tournament, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is essential for the global development of soccer. He confidently declared, "Without FIFA, there would be no football in 150 countries around the world," highlighting the organization's pivotal role in supporting the sport.
These comments were made at the World Sports Summit in Dubai, marking Infantino's first public response since the recent ticket sales opened in early December, which sparked significant backlash from fans due to the high costs associated with attending the matches. Ticket prices vary widely, starting at $140 for some preliminary round games and skyrocketing to $2,735 for the opening match featuring the U.S. versus Paraguay in Los Angeles.
The financial strain intensifies for knockout rounds, with the cheapest ticket for the final match in July priced at an astounding $4,185, while premium seats can cost upwards of $8,680. In light of the criticism, FIFA introduced a limited allocation of $60 tickets for each of the 104 matches, intended for supporters of teams participating in the tournament; however, this represents only a small fraction of the total tickets available.
Addressing the ongoing debate surrounding ticket pricing, Infantino remarked, "In the last few days, you have probably seen there is a lot of debate about ticketing and ticket prices." He reiterated the incredible demand, describing the 150 million ticket requests as "absolutely crazy," which he believes reflects the World Cup's unparalleled influence.
FIFA has defended its ticket prices by asserting that the majority of the revenue generated from the event is reinvested into soccer development worldwide. Infantino stated, "There is football because of and thanks to these revenues we generate with and from the World Cup, which we reinvest, of course, all over the world."
The ticket application window remains open until January 13, allowing fans to apply for tickets to any of the tournament's 104 matches. Importantly, the order of applications submitted does not affect the likelihood of securing tickets, according to FIFA.
