FIFA President Gianni Infantino has sparked attention with a light-hearted remark amid growing criticism over soaring ticket prices for the upcoming FIFA World Cup final in the United States.
Speaking on the sidelines of discussions around ticketing concerns, Infantino said that anyone purchasing a premium ticket for the final reportedly priced in the range of hundreds of thousands to even millions of dollars in the resale market could be treated personally to a hot dog and a cold drink, underscoring what he described as an effort to ensure fans enjoy a memorable experience.
His comments came as reports highlighted extreme resale prices for the final, scheduled in New Jersey, with some listings allegedly reaching up to around 2.3 million dollars per ticket on secondary platforms.
Infantino clarified that FIFA FIFA does not sell tickets at such inflated rates, stressing that the surge is driven by resale markets in the United States, where ticket reselling is legally permitted. He added that initial pricing strategies are designed to remain relatively accessible, warning that lower-priced tickets often get resold at significantly higher values.
According to him, nearly 25 percent of group-stage tickets were available for under 300 dollars, a price range he compared to major collegiate sporting events in the U.S.
The remarks have added a lighter, yet controversial dimension to ongoing debates over affordability and accessibility for one of the world’s most-watched sporting events.