Less than two months before the start of the World Cup in North America, a new controversy has erupted over exorbitant ticket prices. On the official resale platform set up by FIFA, four tickets for the final, scheduled for July 19, 2026 in New York, were put up for sale at $2.299 million each… That’s 1.96 million euros.
These tickets, located behind the goals, were listed at this price because FIFA decided not to set a limit on resale prices. According to The Guardian, the international body would even earn a 15% commission on the purchase of the ticket… and on the sale. The British media calculated that this could bring in nearly 600,000 euros for FIFA if even just one of the four tickets at the exorbitant price were sold.
Context: Ticket prices for the World Cup final are causing controversy due to their high cost.
Fact Check: The resale platform has been set up by FIFA, but the resale prices have caused some outrage among fans.
“Football is for the fans”
Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola, expressed nostalgia on Friday when discussing this extraordinary inflation. “Before, years ago, the World Cup was a celebration to celebrate football and the joy it brings, everyone traveled worldwide, from different continents, to see their country and support it, it was affordable,” he said at a press conference. “Now, it’s modern times, huh… It’s so expensive.” While he admitted to not knowing the reason for these exorbitant prices, Guardiola stressed that “football is for the supporters.” He added, “Of course, we have to think about sponsors, all those kinds of things, because otherwise it would not be viable. Everyone knows that. But the supporters are key for this business to continue.”
Context: Pep Guardiola reflects on the changing landscape of football and the impact of rising ticket prices on fans.
Fact Check: Pep Guardiola highlights the importance of fans in football and questions the rising costs of tickets.
The European supporters’ organization (FSE) and Euroconsumers, a consumer organization representing the continent, announced that they have taken legal action against FIFA with the European Commission for abuse of dominant position, urging them to abandon their “opaque and unfair” purchase procedures. FIFA defended the price of these tickets, determined by “crazy” demand and variable pricing based on the match’s profile, according to its president Gianni Infantino.
