FIFA President Gianni Infantino has robustly defended the ticket pricing for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, pointing to an unprecedented and staggering demand as his primary justification. This defence comes after significant criticism and uproar on social media from various fan groups regarding the high cost of tickets compared to the previous tournament in Qatar.
Unprecedented Demand Justifies Pricing, Says Infantino
Speaking at the World Sports Summit in Dubai on Monday, December 29, 2025, Infantino revealed mind-boggling statistics to illustrate the tournament's popularity. "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," the FIFA chief stated. He emphasized that this frenzy demonstrates the immense power of the World Cup brand.
To provide historical context, Infantino added a remarkable comparison. "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." According to his data, fans from the United States have submitted the highest number of requests, followed by supporters from Germany and the United Kingdom.
Addressing Affordability and Revenue Redistribution
Responding to earlier criticism about expensive tickets, FIFA had introduced a more affordable $60 ticket tier aimed at making matches accessible for fans of qualified teams. Infantino stressed that the revenues generated from the tournament are crucial for the global football ecosystem.
"What’s crucial is that the revenues that are generated from this are going back to the game all over the world," he explained. The FIFA President made a bold claim about the organization's role, stating, "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 the 2026 FIFA Best Awards
In a related announcement at the same summit, Infantino revealed that Dubai has been chosen as the host city for the prestigious FIFA Best Awards ceremony next year. "I can announce here a new partnership we have closed together to honour the best players, coaches and teams, here in Dubai," he said.
The FIFA Best Awards celebrate the top performers in football, with categories for the best men's and women's players, coaches, and teams. The winners are selected through votes from a panel comprising fans, media representatives, national team captains, and coaches. The 2025 awards saw France forward Ousmane Dembele win the men's player of the year, while Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati claimed the women's award.
Infantino concluded his address by highlighting the unifying power of football, a theme central to the upcoming World Cup across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. "We have enjoyed the sport, and now we will enjoy even more the unity the sport brings to the entire world."
