FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the high ticket prices for the 2026 [1] World Cup, telling critics to relax during a press briefing on Wednesday.
The comments come as public frustration grows over the cost of attending the tournament. Because the event is hosted across North America, pricing accessibility remains a central point of contention for fans seeking to attend matches.
Speaking with CTV News in Toronto, Infantino addressed the mounting complaints regarding the financial burden on supporters. He said the organization is not concerned by the backlash, saying, "We are very relaxed about it" [1].
Infantino suggested that the current pricing policy is appropriate for the scale of the event. He said to CNBC TV18 that fans should chill about the ticket prices [2].
The president of the global governing body for football framed the feedback as a natural part of the process. He said, "If we are doing something wrong, everyone will tell us" [3].
This stance follows a series of reports highlighting the disparity between ticket costs and the average fan's budget. Despite these concerns, Infantino maintained that the organization is confident in its strategy for the 2026 [1] tournament. The briefing served as a primary opportunity for FIFA to address the public's economic concerns ahead of the competition.
“"We are very relaxed about it."”
Infantino's dismissive tone suggests that FIFA believes the demand for World Cup tickets far outweighs the public's sensitivity to pricing. By urging fans to 'chill,' the organization is signaling that it does not intend to lower prices despite the outcry, betting that the prestige of the 2026 event will ensure sell-out crowds regardless of the cost.
