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Infantino Defends $4,185 World Cup Tickets Amid Criticism

1/23/2026

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Summary

Story summary

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended 2026 World Cup ticket prices at the World Economic Forum.
He acknowledged criticism and noted the second-cheapest ticket costs $4,185.
Infantino said FIFA received over 500 million ticket requests.
Infantino claimed every match will be sold out.
He dismissed visa concerns for fans from certain countries as false and cited 2022 Qatar World Cup, which saw no British arrests for the first time in history.

History

Historical Context

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar was historic as the first tournament held in the Middle East, attracting over 1.4 million ticket sales. This event highlighted the growing commercialization of sports, as FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended high ticket prices for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, reflecting ongoing debates about accessibility and fan engagement in major sporting events.

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Story summary

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended 2026 World Cup ticket prices at the World Economic Forum.
He acknowledged criticism and noted the second-cheapest ticket costs $4,185.
Infantino said FIFA received over 500 million ticket requests.
Infantino claimed every match will be sold out.
He dismissed visa concerns for fans from certain countries as false and cited 2022 Qatar World Cup, which saw no British arrests for the first time in history.

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