Gianni Infantino launches defence of prices but US lawmakers have accused world football governing body of “potentially deceptive practices”
Fifa has sharply increased prices for premium tickets to this summer’s World Cup final, with the most expensive seats now listed at $32,970 for the match at MetLife Stadium on 19 July.
The governing body made the new Front Category 1 tickets available on Thursday through its official sales platform. The previous highest-priced Category 1 seats for the final had cost $10,990, while the most expensive tickets for the 2022 World Cup final were around $1,600.
Fifa also released prices for the semi-finals and several USA group-stage matches. Tickets for the 14 July semi-final at AT&T Stadium were listed between $2,705 and $11,130, while seats for the following day’s semi-final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium ranged from $2,725 to $10,635.
For USA’s opening group game against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, tickets were priced between $1,120 and $2,735. Prices for matches against Australia in Seattle and Turkey in Los Angeles were also listed at premium rates.
Gianni Infantino defended Fifa’s pricing strategy by asking critics to “look at the market”.
“We are in a market in which entertainment is the most developed in the world, so we have to apply market rates,” Infantino said. “In the US it is permitted to resell tickets, as well, so if you were to sell tickets at the price which is too low, these tickets will be resold at a much higher price.”
The greatest show in the world is ready. Are you? 🏆#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/ISxLhuLUkm
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) April 1, 2026
Infantino also argued that many tickets were already appearing on resale platforms at prices significantly above Fifa’s own rates.
On Fifa’s official resale marketplace, tickets for the final were listed on Thursday from $8,970 up to nearly $11.5m. Fifa does not control resale asking prices but collects a 15% fee from both buyers and sellers for each transaction.
“If some people put on the secondary, on the resale market some tickets for the final at $2m, No 1, it doesn’t mean that the tickets cost $2m, and No 2, it doesn’t mean that somebody will buy these tickets,” Infantino said.
“Actually if somebody buys a ticket for the final for $2m, I will personally bring a hotdog and a Coke to make sure that he has a great experience.”
🇧🇷🎉 Scolari’s reaction to Ronaldinho’s goal = priceless #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/aG7JQ0qWQi
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) May 8, 2026
The pricing structure has also drawn criticism from lawmakers in the US. Two of New Jersey’s representatives in Congress, Frank Pallone and Nellie Pou, sent a letter to Fifa requesting details about its dynamic pricing system, ticket availability and resale fees.
“For many fans hoping to attend matches this summer, the ticket sales process has become a major point of frustration,” they wrote. “We are deeply concerned by reports that Fifa is employing opaque pricing, shifting rules and potentially deceptive practices.”
The lawmakers also accused Fifa of limiting ticket supply to influence demand and pricing.
“Fifa also appears to be restricting ticket supply to shape demand,” they said. “Tickets are reportedly being held back for matches, creating the appearance of limited availability even when large numbers remain unsold.”
