FIFA President Gianni Infantino has dismissed concerns over a $2.3 million resale listing for a 2026 World Cup final ticket, joking that he would personally deliver “a hot dog and a Coke” to anyone willing to pay that much.
Speaking at the Milken Institute Global Conference on Wednesday, Infantino addressed criticism over soaring ticket prices after seats for the final at MetLife Stadium appeared on FIFA’s resale platform for nearly $2.3 million. He argued that such resale prices do not reflect FIFA’s official ticket costs and do not guarantee that anyone will actually buy them.
“If some people put on the resale market some tickets for the final at $2 million, number one, it doesn’t mean that the tickets cost $2 million, and number two, it doesn’t mean that somebody will buy these tickets,” he said.
Infantino defended FIFA’s pricing structure, saying it aligns with other major sporting events in the United States and that about 25 percent of group-stage tickets are available for under $300, comparable to the cost of attending a college game. He stressed that the World Cup remains accessible despite the high-end resale market.
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The comments come amid growing concerns about affordability ahead of the expanded 48-team tournament, with fans also facing increased costs for hotels and travel across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In response to Ontario’s new legislation banning ticket resales above face value, FIFA has updated its platform so that tickets for Toronto matches can only be resold at their original price. Tickets for the six games at Toronto Stadium were temporarily removed from the marketplace last week following the passage of the ‘Putting Fans First Act’ but have now been reinstated at face value.
At the other 15 venues, tickets can still be listed above face value on the official resale platform.
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