Following the recent launch of limited $60 supporter tickets amid backlash, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended elevated pricing for the 2026 World Cup, citing unprecedented demand of 150 million requests in the first 15 days. Speaking at the World Sports Summit in Dubai, he emphasized that revenues fund global soccer development for the 48-team tournament across the US, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed ongoing criticism of 2026 World Cup ticket prices in a speech at the World Sports Summit in Dubai on December 29, 2025. Building on the organization's recent introduction of a limited $60 Supporter Entry Tier for qualifying fans, he revealed that ticket requests have surged to over 150 million since sales opened on December 11—far exceeding the 44 million tickets sold across nearly a century of World Cups and equivalent to 300 years of tournaments in just two weeks.
Infantino described the demand as "absolutely crazy," with requests from fans in over 200 countries, underscoring the event's global power. He justified prices—from $140 for some group-stage matches to $8,680 for premium final seats—by highlighting FIFA's role: "Without FIFA, there would be no football in 150 countries." Revenues, he said, are reinvested worldwide into the sport.
The Random Selection Draw phase continues until January 13, 2026, offering equal chances to all applicants. The expanded 2026 tournament, with 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 host cities from June 11 to July 19, amplifies both excitement and accessibility debates.