FIFA received 150 million World Cup ticket requests, Gianni Infantino says
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FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup, citing heavy demand.
PHOTO: AFP
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- Infantino defended 2026 World Cup ticket prices, citing huge demand: 150 million requests in 15 days for 6-7 million tickets.
- FIFA reinvests World Cup revenues globally, supporting football in 150 countries, ensuring its continued development worldwide.
- Dubai will host the FIFA Best Awards next year, celebrating top players, coaches, and teams, voted for by fans and experts.
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ZURICH, Switzerland - FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the ticket prices for 2026’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, citing heavy demand for them and the revenue generated for the sport around the world.
This month, fan groups criticised the cost of tickets, which were several times more expensive than those for similar matches at the 2022 tournament. FIFA then launched a US$60 (S$77) ticket tier
“We have six-seven million tickets on sale... in 15 days, we received 150 million ticket requests. So, 10 million ticket requests every single day. It shows how powerful the World Cup is,” Infantino said on Dec 29 at the World Sports Summit in Dubai.
“In the almost 100 years of history of the World Cup, FIFA has sold 44 million tickets in total. So, in two weeks... we could’ve filled 300 years of World Cups. Imagine that. This is absolutely crazy.”
Fans from the US have made the highest number of ticket requests, followed by Germany and the United Kingdom, the FIFA president said.
“What’s crucial is that the revenues that are generated from this are going back to the game all over the world,” he added.
“Without FIFA there’d be no football in 150 countries in the world. There is football because, and thanks to, these revenues we generate with, and from, the World Cup which we reinvest all over the world.”
Dubai to host FIFA 2026 Best Awards
Dubai will host the global governing body’s Best Awards ceremony in 2026.
The FIFA Best Awards honour the top men’s and women’s players, as well as coaches and teams, as voted for by fans, media representatives, captains and national team coaches.
“I can announce here a new partnership we have closed together to honour the best players, coaches and teams, here in Dubai,” Infantino said.
“We have enjoyed the sport, and now we will enjoy even more the unity the sport brings to the entire world.”
France forward Ousmane Dembele was named men’s player of the year
