FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended ticket prices for the upcoming World Cup tournament, scheduled in a few months, during a speech delivered to world leaders on Thursday.
In his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he addressed concerns about hosting the World Cup finals this summer, amidst rising internal tensions there.
In his remarks, reported by several media outlets, he said: “It was a joyful celebration, and the next edition in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will be exactly the same. People are longing for occasions to meet, connect, and spend time celebrating, and that is what we strive to provide for them.”
Infantino clarified that the final match will be “the greatest celebration of humanity,” despite concerns from human rights organizations regarding a number of policies adopted by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
In his speech, Infantino addressed criticism directed at ticket prices, justifying their increase due to high demand.
FIFA announced receiving over 500 million ticket requests during the latest application period, which ended on January 13.
The price for the second cheapest category of tickets for the final match reached $4,185, with only a small percentage of tickets available in the cheapest category, leading to sharp criticism.
The Swiss official Infantino stated: “Tickets are not cheap. We were severely affected. I was personally affected by the exorbitant ticket prices. The main criticism came from England, of course.”
He continued: “Now the United States tops the list of countries with the highest ticket demand. Followed by Germany, then because everyone wants to attend and participate.”
FIFA has not released details on how the ticket demand is distributed across the 104 matches of the World Cup, or across price categories, but Infantino stated confidently: “All match tickets will be completely sold out.”
He pointed out that thanks to the international federation’s ticket resale platform, these tickets are likely to be sold at higher prices, explaining: “This is amazing, but it clearly shows its impact.”
He confirmed: “To give you another number for comparison, FIFA sold about 50 million tickets in its 100-year history, while in this World Cup edition, during these four weeks, we received requests equivalent to a thousand years of World Cup tournament history all at once.”
Infantino emphasized: “This is unique. It’s amazing, but I believe it clearly reveals people’s trust in FIFA, and their trust in Canada, the United States. They want to travel. They want to come.”
Regarding news about the possibility of the United States denying entry visas to fans from some countries, he said that was “incorrect.”
Fans from some participating countries are expected to face particular difficulty obtaining U.S. entry visas, but Infantino said: “The United States, as well as Mexico, will welcome the world next summer, and that is what we look forward to.”
FIFA
FIFA, or the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, is the international governing body for association football, founded in Paris in 1904. It is best known for organizing major global tournaments, most notably the FIFA World Cup, which began in 1930.
World Cup
The FIFA World Cup is an international football tournament first held in 1930 in Uruguay. Organized by FIFA, it is held every four years and has grown into one of the most widely viewed and followed sporting events in the world.
World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1971 by German economist Klaus Schwab, originally as the European Management Forum. It is best known for its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, which brings together political, business, and cultural leaders to discuss global issues and shape agendas. Its stated mission is to improve the state of the world by engaging leaders to shape global, regional, and industry agendas.
Davos
Davos is a Swiss Alpine town in the canton of Graubünden, historically known as a health resort and for its development as a winter sports destination. It is now most famous for hosting the annual World Economic Forum meeting, where global political and business leaders gather to discuss international issues.
Switzerland
Switzerland is a landlocked country in Central Europe known for its long history of neutrality, which was formally established in the 1815 Congress of Vienna. It is a federal republic comprised of 26 cantons and is globally recognized for its political stability, direct democracy, and its role as host to numerous international organizations.
United States
The United States is a federal republic founded in 1776 after declaring independence from Great Britain, with its modern government established by the Constitution in 1789. Its history includes westward expansion, a civil war over slavery, and its emergence as a global superpower in the 20th century. The nation is defined by its diverse cultural heritage, democratic ideals, and significant economic and political influence worldwide.
Canada
Canada is a North American country formed in 1867 through Confederation, evolving from earlier British and French colonial territories. It is known for its vast landscapes, multicultural society, and a historical development deeply influenced by Indigenous peoples, colonization, and immigration.
Mexico
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country with a rich history spanning from advanced pre-Columbian civilizations like the Aztecs and Maya to Spanish colonization in the 16th century and its independence in 1821. Its cultural sites, such as the ancient city of Teotihuacán and the historic center of Mexico City, reflect this deep and layered heritage.
England
England is a country within the United Kingdom with a long and influential history, having been unified under the Kingdom of England in the 10th century. It was the historic core of the British Empire and is renowned for cultural landmarks like Stonehenge, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London.
Germany
Germany is a country in Central Europe with a complex history, having been a collection of states for centuries before unifying in 1871. It was divided after World War II into East and West Germany, reunifying peacefully in 1990 following the fall of the Berlin Wall. Today, it is known for its influential cultural contributions in philosophy, music, and science, and is a leading economic and political power in the European Union.
