FIFA President Gianni Infantino Claims World Cup Tickets in High Demand Ahead of 2026 Tournament
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced that over one million ticket requests have been submitted for each of the 77 World Cup matches scheduled in North America for the upcoming tournament in June and July 2026. This exciting news comes as FIFA gears up for what is anticipated to be one of the most significant sporting events globally, spanning across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Infantino made his remarks while attending the World Liberty Forum at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, where he was spotted wearing a USA baseball cap emblazoned with the numbers 45 and 47, a nod to Trump’s two presidential terms. The event saw a mix of business leaders, senators, and celebrities, including Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali and artist Nicki Minaj, emphasizing the wide-reaching appeal of the World Cup.
In an interview with CNBC following the event, Infantino elaborated on FIFA’s ticketing strategy, which has faced scrutiny from supporters and politicians alike due to rising prices. Critics, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have labeled the ticketing policy a “monumental betrayal.” Infantino defended the pricing structure, stating, “Demand is there. We have 104 matches in total, and 77 have received requests for over 1 million tickets each. Every match is already sold out.”
However, it was later clarified by FIFA sources that Infantino may have misspoken regarding the status of ticket sales. While maintaining that they anticipate all matches to sell out, they confirmed that some tickets are still held back for last-minute sales.
The record-high ticket requests have led Infantino to boast of FIFA’s expected revenues exceeding $11 billion from the tournament, with a projected economic impact of $30 billion for the U.S. economy. Critics often approach such projections with skepticism, given the complexities involved in measuring economic benefits.
Infantino also stated that FIFA has received requests from over 200 countries, illustrating the global enthusiasm for football. “Everyone wants to come here and be part of something special,” he remarked. “People are looking for experiences that bring joy and positivity, especially amidst the negativity often portrayed in the media.”
The FIFA President’s comments come in stark contrast to persistent allegations against FIFA regarding its political neutrality, particularly highlighted by a formal complaint submitted to the Ethics Committee by FairSquare, a global advocacy group. The complaint points to Infantino’s previous engagements with Trump and calls for an investigation into FIFA’s operations, questioning the organization’s governance.
