FIFA President Gianni Infantino stood by the pricing strategy of World Cup tickets, stating on Wednesday that if any wrongdoing was occurring, it was widespread in North America. The tickets for the 104-game tournament, involving 48 nations and commencing on Thursday, were initially priced from $140 US, with the highest-tier seats for the final in New Jersey reaching up to $8,680. Following backlash, FIFA introduced a limited number of $60 tickets for national federations to distribute among their loyal supporters.
Infantino defended the average ticket price of the tournament, insisting it was under $500, a figure he compared to postseason ticket prices in other U.S. sports. Despite concerns raised by state attorneys general in California, New Jersey, New York, and Texas, Infantino expressed confidence and mentioned that the resale market dynamics were not under FIFA’s direct control, leading to the soaring ticket prices.
The FIFA President addressed the issue of a Somali referee being denied entry to the U.S., stating it was regrettable and emphasized that FIFA lacks authority in deciding who enters a country. Infantino underscored FIFA’s efforts to navigate such situations behind the scenes, striving to reach positive outcomes.
Infantino also highlighted FIFA’s role in ensuring Iran’s participation in the tournament, despite ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran. He lauded the logistical arrangements made to facilitate Iran’s involvement, including the team relocating its training camp to Mexico before traveling to the U.S. for matches.
Regarding the overall impact of the World Cup, Infantino expressed optimism, describing the upcoming tournament as potentially the most significant event in human history.