Full Breakdown
Infantino Defends Ticket Prices and Visa Policies as 2026 World Cup Begins
6/11/2026, 8:09:40 PM
Ticket Pricing and Visa Issues
On the day before the opening match of the 48-nation, 104-game World Cup in North America, FIFA President Gianni Infantino held a press conference in Mexico City. He addressed two controversies: the record cost of tickets and the denial of entry to Somali referee Omar Artan, as well as the broader difficulty of securing visas for Iran’s national team.
Key Figures and Numbers
FIFA listed tickets from $140 for group-stage games to $32,970 for premium final seats. A “Supporter Entry Tier” of 130,000 tickets was priced at $60 each, out of an estimated 6-7 million tickets to be sold. Infantino claimed the tournament’s average ticket price is under $500, a figure he compared with U.S. playoff sports. Attorneys general in California, New Jersey, New York and Texas have opened investigations into pricing and consumer-protection practices. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Artan was denied entry because of “association with suspected members of terrorist organisations.”
Official Statements
Infantino stressed that FIFA cannot dictate immigration decisions, stating the organization “does not control everything” and must respect sovereign security policies. He praised FIFA’s role in securing Iran’s participation, noting the team’s training camp moved to Mexico and that the federation “worked behind the scenes” to obtain visas. On ticket pricing, Infantino argued that lower list prices would simply shift revenue to secondary markets and that all revenue is reinvested in global football development. He welcomed the state investigations, saying FIFA consulted top lawyers before selling tickets and would cooperate fully.
Criticism and Legal Scrutiny
Fans and consumer-protection officials have described the pricing as “punishing” and “prohibitive.” New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued subpoenas, alleging misleading seat classifications and inflated costs. Former President Donald Trump, while confirming attendance, said he would not pay the high prices. Advocacy groups have warned that U.S. immigration policies are affecting players, officials and supporters from Iran, Iraq, Morocco and other nations.
Conflicting Reports
Infantino’s average-price claim (< $500) conflicts with publicly listed prices that exceed $1,000 for many matches. Media reports indicate up to 200,000 tickets remained unsold a day before kickoff, challenging the narrative of “unprecedented demand.” The precise breakdown of tickets sold versus those allocated to national federations, including the $60 tier, has not been disclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “if we do something wrong, then probably everyone selling tickets in North America is doing something wrong.” — Gianni Infantino, FIFA President
- “We are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces.” — Gianni Infantino
- “It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia,” — Gianni Infantino
- “We welcome every investigation.” — Gianni Infantino
