FIFA's Infantino defends World Cup ticket prices, says fans 'should chill' about ref denied US entry

By — Carlos Rodriguez, Associated Press Carlos Rodriguez, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/fifas-infantino-defends-world-cup-ticket-prices-says-fans-should-chill-about-ref-denied-us-entry Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter FIFA's Infantino defends World Cup ticket prices, says fans 'should chill' about ref denied US entry World Jun 10, 2026 5:53 PM EDT MEXICO CITY (AP) — FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended World Cup ticket prices on Wednesday, saying "if we do something wrong, then probably everyone selling tickets in North America is doing something wrong." Infantino spoke with reporters during a rare question-and-answer session on the eve of the opening match of an expanded 48-nation, 104-game World Cup tournament. He defended record ticket prices, said FIFA was powerless to get the U.S. government to admit a Somali referee, and praised his ability to get Iran's national soccer team into the United States. WATCH: Roger Bennett on what to expect at the World Cup FIFA priced tickets starting at $140 for group-stage games, but regular seats for the July 19 final outside New York were listed at up to $8,680 and hospitality seats at up to $73,200. It raised prices for the final to $10,990 and then $32,970. After much criticism, FIFA offered $60 tickets to national federations for their regular supporters. Infantino said 130,000 tickets were offered in that category. Four years ago at the tournament in Qatar, prices ranged from $69 to $1,607. WATCH: What to expect from the U.S. team as the World Cup approaches "If you sell it at a lower price point," he said, "in this particular market it would have gone — which is perfectly legal in this country ... in secondary markets at much, much, much higher prices and where would the money go then? Well, to those who organize secondary markets or black market activities and not to football." Infantino said the average ticket price was below $500 for the tournament and was comparable to other U.S. sports during their playoffs, a claim that while true for resale prices does not appear to be accurate for list prices. Major League Baseball's average World Series ticket price has been $350 to $400 in recent years and NFL prices averaged $230 for the wild-card round, $320 for divisional games and $450 for conference championships. READ MORE: World Cup by the numbers: 1,248 players, 48 teams and 3 countries make this the largest ever Infantino said he was unconcerned about ticket probes by attorneys general in California, New Jersey, New York and Texas. "When it comes to these legal investigations or complaints that were made in some states in the U.S.," he said, "we are very relaxed about it because before starting to sell 6 and a half or 7 million tickets we check what we do with the best lawyers, with the best experts. If we do something wrong, then probably everyone selling tickets in North America is doing