Gianni Infantino has sparked reactions after joking that he would personally serve “a hot dog and a Coke” to any fan willing to pay 2 million dollars for a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
Speaking at the Milken Institute Global Conference, the president of FIFA addressed criticism over rising ticket prices for the tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Reports indicate that some seats for the final at MetLife Stadium have appeared on FIFA’s official resale platform for as high as 2.3 million dollars, prompting concerns about affordability for ordinary fans.
Infantino clarified that such prices do not reflect official FIFA ticket costs, explaining that resale values are determined by market demand rather than the governing body’s original pricing. He added that a significant portion of group stage tickets remain relatively affordable, with about 25 percent priced under 300 dollars.
He compared World Cup ticket pricing to other sporting events in the United States, arguing that the tournament remains accessible for many supporters despite premium resale listings.
The FIFA president also emphasised that the World Cup is a global event of unprecedented scale, noting that pricing varies widely depending on match stage and demand. However, critics have raised concerns that inflated resale prices and rising travel costs could limit access for many fans.
In response to affordability concerns, FIFA has revised its resale policies for matches in Toronto following new legislation in Ontario banning ticket resales above face value. Under the updated rules, tickets for matches in Toronto can only be resold at their original price.
The ces come after Ontario passed the “Putting Fans First Act,” aimed at protecting consumers from excessive secondary market pricing.
While Toronto venues are now restricted, other host cities across North America will still allow resale prices above face value under FIFA’s current system.
As excitement builds toward the expanded 48 team tournament, debates continue over whether rising costs could make football’s biggest event less accessible to average supporters.
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