World Cup ticket prices set to spiral out of control as FIFA chief admits no control over resale platforms

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has issued a concerning update about World Cup ticket prices, just over four months out from the start of the tournament. 

In recent months, ticket prices for the competition – set to take place across the United States, Mexico and Canada – has been a major concern among fans. 

And, on Friday afternoon, their worst fears were confirmed as Infantino warned that resellers will likely cause a dramatic surge in pricing for the summer event. 

Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Infantino explained that in the US it is ‘perfectly legal to resell tickets on resale platforms. 

‘There is a law for that, so we have to of course allow that,’ he added.

As Infantino discussed the tournament further, he spoke on how all 104 matches at the World Cup are expected to be sold out – and how resellers will impact that. 

On FIFA’s own resale marketplace, tickets for the World Cup final – set to be hosted at MetLife Stadium – are being sold for as much as $230,000 at the time of writing

‘You can be sure that these tickets, for which we’ll have to make a draw because every game will be sold out, will probably be resold at even higher prices,’ he said.

‘In 100, almost 100, years of World Cup history, FIFA sold around 50 million tickets in total. Now for this World Cup in four weeks [on sale], we have the request for 1,000 years of World Cups at once. This is unique. It’s incredible.’

While Infantino labelled the demand as ‘incredible’, it’s safe to say that some soccer fans will disagree with the take after discovering the current state of resale prices. 

On FIFA’s own resale marketplace – from which they reportedly get a 30 percent cut of any sale – tickets for the World Cup final have already been listed.

Astonishingly, the most expensive ticket on their platform is listed for $230,000. Meanwhile, the lowest priced Category 1 ticket for the final is priced at $16,998.

It shows a staggering increase from the face value of the tickets – which are expected to be sold from between $4,000 and $8,000. 

However, these could also be subject to change due to the dynamic prices which are set to be applied to ticket prices. 

Elsewhere, for the USA’s first game of the tournament against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, resale Category 1 tickets range from between $3,677 and $100,756.

A screenshot of FIFA’s resale marketplace for the World Cup final

A screenshot of FIFA’s resale marketplace for the United States’ first game of the tournament

Infantino’s latest comments mark a stunning U-turn from his defiant defense over the ticket prices at the end of December. 

‘We have six to seven million tickets on sale and in 15 days we received 150 million ticket requests,’ argued Infantino at the World Sports Summit in Dubai on Monday.

‘So 10 million ticket requests every single day. It shows how powerful the World Cup is.

‘In the almost 100 years of the World Cup, FIFA has sold 44 million tickets in total. So, in two weeks we could have filled 300 years of World Cups. Imagine that. This is absolutely crazy.’

He also said that the profits would be pumped back into football, adding: ‘What’s crucial is that the revenues that are generated from this are going back to the game all over the world.

‘Without FIFA there would 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.’

After the enormous backlash from fans at the pricing, FIFA did guarantee a small selection of tickets would be available at a reduced cost of $61 (£45), thought to be around 10 per cent of the overall allocation handed to each nation taking part.