FIFA’s price strategy for this summer’s World Cup has been eye-watering and there is no sign of it stopping in these final days of the tournament.
Only two games are left to be played before the World Cup disappears for another four years, with the bronze-place game on Saturday and the final on Sunday.
Tickets for any major sporting final are never going to come cheap, but there have been concerns surrounding FIFA’s pricing throughout this summer’s competition.
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Many fans from across the world feel as if they have been priced out of attending games at the 2026 World Cup.
President of FIFA Gianni Infantino has proven a divisive figure to say the least and his latest cash-grabbing exercise shows exactly why he’s not proven popular among soccer fans.
FIFA implement charges to watch final press conference live
World Cup final tickets are going for almost $8000 at the absolute bottom end of the scale, with some costing in the region of $60,000 for Sunday’s game.
One final push from the governing body to generate some revenue is being proposed, with fans able to purchase tickets to watch the final FIFA press conference.
Fans will be charged an entrance fee to attend the press conferences, which are usually restricted to the press.
Ticket prices for the event have now been shared:
- Adult – £60/$81
- Child – £26/$35
- Photo with Rio Ferdinand – £126/$170
Infantino has come under serious scrutiny for his role in overturning Folarin Balogun’s suspension earlier in the tournament.
The FIFA president was already an unpopular figure due to the handling of this summer’s tournament and the prices involved for the supporters.
With a FIFA election coming up, there will be an opportunity for another name to potentially take over and attempt to return the game to the fans.
How World Cup fans have reacted to FIFA’s final payday
As expected, the news has not gone down well with the World Cup fans.
“Look at how Trump changed FIFA mentality everything is about making money now. What has happened to my beautiful game,” one said on X.
“I’d pay £126 NOT to get a picture with Rio Ferdinand,” said another.
There is a clear feeling that fans are now being exploited by FIFA, with one supporter say: ‘Everything is money for FIFA. World cup final tickets are selling for $10,000 on average. That’s a potential final gross revenue of $1.1 billion from one event.’
The costs involved with attending this summer’s tournament have been nothing other than insane, but the loyalty of the supporters often outweighs the ridiculous prices.
‘FIFA and football have been privatized by Gianni, it’s now business for him,’ added one World Cup fan.
Another supporter made things very clear by saying: ‘Football is becoming more expensive for fans every year. Not everyone can afford prices like these.’
‘This is joke right? I’d better lose my £126 than to spend it and take photo with Ferdinand,’ said another.
It is clear to see how FIFA are creating a huge gap between what they stand for and what the fans are actually demanding.
Infantino could not have done his popularity more harm if he had tried this summer.
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