World Cup 2026: FIFA chief Infantino defends pricing and tickets in US

FIFA President Gianni Infantino cites the 'very special' U.S. market as he defends high ticket pricing for the 2026 World Cup. | Contesto: cronaca

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• World Cup 2026: FIFA chief Infantino defends pricing and tickets in US

Contesto

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has publicly defended the pricing structure for the 2026 World Cup, directly addressing growing criticism by highlighting the unique economic dynamics of the tournament's primary host nation. In a statement issued this week, Infantino pointed to the "very special" U.S. market as a key factor in the ticketing strategy for the expanded 48-team event, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The defense comes amid concerns from fans and supporter groups that the cost of attending matches, particularly in the United States, could price out traditional football audiences. The 2026 tournament represents a massive commercial undertaking, with more matches than any previous World Cup and stadiums across North America that command premium prices for major sporting events. Infantino's comments mark the first direct acknowledgment from FIFA's leadership that ticket costs will be notably influenced by the high-value U.S. sports entertainment market, where pricing for events like the Super Bowl and major league finals routinely reaches levels unseen in global football. This pricing approach underscores a strategic shift for FIFA, which is leveraging the tournament's placement in a region with significant corporate spending power and a growing, albeit less historically rooted, fan base. The organization is banking on the event's unprecedented scale—set across 16 host cities—and the rarity of a World Cup on North American soil to drive demand, even at elevated prices. Analysts suggest the model prioritizes maximizing revenue from a single edition to fund FIFA's global development programs and offset the costs of an expanded format, but it risks alienating the international travelling supporters who create the tournament's signature atmosphere. The controversy touches on a broader tension within modern football governance: balancing commercial imperatives with the sport's accessibility and global community spirit. Previous World Cups have faced similar critiques, but the concentration of games in the U.S., where live sports are a premium product, amplifies the challenge. Infantino's framing of the U.S. as a "very...

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Categoria: cronaca