Gianni Infantino jokes about two-million-dollar 2026 World Cup final tickets amid fan anger | OneFootball

Gianni Infantino again defended pricing for the 2026 World Cup, staged from 11 June to 19 July in the United States, Canada and Mexico, saying FIFA must adapt to a US market that permits uncapped resale. According to L'Équipe, he set out the stance on Wednesday amid mounting criticism.

Football Supporters Europe accused the governing body of extortion and a monumental betrayal. Anger intensified after FIFA’s resale site last week listed four final tickets at two million dollars each.

At a Beverly Hills conference he offered no remedy. He joked that if anyone paid two million dollars for a final seat he would personally bring them a hot dog and a Coca-Cola to make sure they had a great time.

Infantino argued prices reflect the most developed entertainment market in the world, and said applying market rates was necessary. He added that low face values would only be flipped on resale for far higher sums, often more than double.

Supporter groups say the most expensive tickets for the 2022 final in Qatar were about 1,600 dollars, 1,357 euros. For 2026, top-end final seats are around 11,000 dollars, 9,332 euros.

He also pointed out that 25% of group-stage tickets cost under 300 dollars, 254 euros. Demand appears undimmed, FIFA is said to have already received more than 500 million requests, compared with 50 million across the previous two tournaments combined. All 104 matches are already announced as sold out.

Source: L'Équipe