FIFA's Infantino defends World Cup ticket prices, says fans 'should chill' about ref denied US entry

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the organization's record-high World Cup ticket prices, suggesting that lower prices would simply inflate the secondary market and benefit scalpers.

“

If we do something wrong, then probably everyone selling tickets in North America is doing something wrong, as well.

"If we do something wrong, then probably everyone selling tickets in North America is doing something wrong, as well," Infantino told reporters during a rare question-and-answer session. He argued that selling tickets at lower price points would allow them to be resold at "much, much, much higher prices" on secondary markets, with profits going to scalpers rather than football.

FIFA has faced criticism for ticket prices starting at $140 for group-stage games, with some hospitality seats for the final listed as high as $73,200. After backlash, the organization offered 130,000 tickets at $60 to national federations for their regular supporters. In comparison, tickets for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar ranged from $69 to $1,607.

“

If you sell it at a lower price point, in this particular market it would have gone, which is perfectly legal in this country ... in secondary markets at much, much, much higher prices and where would the money go then? Well, to those who organize secondary markets or black market activities and not to football.

Infantino also expressed a relaxed attitude towards ticket probes by attorneys general in California, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. He stated that FIFA consulted with "the best lawyers, with the best experts" before selling millions of tickets, implying confidence in their legal standing. He compared the pricing to that of other major U.S. sporting events like the NBA Finals and MLB's World Series, though the article notes this comparison is more accurate for resale prices than initial list prices.

“

When it comes to these legal investigations or complaints that were made in some states in the U.S., we are very relaxed about it because before starting to sell 6 and a half or 7 million tickets we check what we do with the best lawyers, with the best experts.