FIFA issue response to dramatic World Cup pressure 41 days before tournament
The 2026 World Cup has had serious questions being raised around it over the past several weeks as the competition edges closer every day.
From clarification being needed to confirm whether Iran would be participating this summer to the arduous three-day journey Iraq had to make to get to Mexico for the World Cup qualifying playoffs and then the controversy around the ticket prices for the competition along with the FIFA resale site.
Just this week FIFA's own ticket resale exchange showed four tickets on offer for the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on July 19 for a staggering $2 million apiece.
This is not the only example of high prices for World Cup tickets on offer on the resale website, as over the past few weeks there have been examples of fans being asked to pay thousands of dollars to attend group stage matches and knockout fixtures.
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Now, FIFA have addressed fans' concerns around the pricing of tickets and said Thursday it will review its ticketing strategy for the 2030 World Cup after the anger over the high prices for the 2026 finals.
Secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom spoke to reporters upon the conclusion of the FIFA Congress in Vancouver and stated the high prices for this year’s competition reflected "the reality of the market in North America".
He said: "I will always have understanding for fans and their opinions, but I think there are quite a wide array of ticket prices – some are cheap, some are more expensive.
"But of course, you know, we listen; we take into account the comments, and of course, as for every World Cup, we will review and see how we do it for the next one.”
Fans have been angered by the cost of tickets for the tournament, leading to criticism for FIFA around their pricing structure, with fan organisation Football Supporters Europe (FSE) calling the pricing structure a "monumental betrayal" of supporters.
The FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, has defended the ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup, believing the high cost is down to the huge demand from supporters to attend the tournament.
Grafstrom continued his defence of the ticket prices, arguing that the money generated – estimated to be around $13 billion – will be pumped back into the sport to develop nations that need the funding and to help grassroots.
He said: “I think, you know, the legacy is also what we'll be able to do with the money that it generates.
"This is a true legacy through the (FIFA) Forward programme, and in order to really develop the game of football in our member associations, this will have a true impact."
Topics: FIFA, FIFA World Cup
Brendan McGilligan