Infantino: High World Cup ticket prices fund global football projects

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the high ticket prices at the World Cup, asserting that the revenue generated helps finance football projects in regions that might otherwise be overlooked. Speaking at a press conference in Mexico City, Infantino highlighted that the tournament's financial model relies on this pricing strategy to support global football initiatives.

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One month every fourth year, we generate a surplus. The other 47 months, we invest in growth. Nobody else does that to the same extent.

Infantino explained that the World Cup generates a surplus for only one month every four years. "One month every fourth year, we generate a surplus. The other 47 months, we invest in growth. Nobody else does that to the same extent," he stated, defending the ticket prices. He also argued that FIFA's dynamic pricing strategy aims to keep money within the football world and combat the black market.

The FIFA president addressed several pressing issues, including the visa problems faced by a Somali referee, Omar Artan, who was denied entry into the USA. "It is regrettable what happened with Omar, the referee from Somalia. But we don't control everything. We try, we discuss, and we have to see," Infantino said. He emphasized that while FIFA works to resolve issues, they must respect that they are a sports organization and cannot dictate government policies.

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It is regrettable what happened with Omar, the referee from Somalia. But we don't control everything. We try, we discuss, and we have to see.

Infantino also stressed the importance of allowing FIFA the space to address problems effectively. "Sometimes it's good to relax a bit. We are working on everything, we are trying to find solutions for everything. Sometimes, when you start by screaming and shouting, it has the opposite effect of finding solutions," he remarked, advocating for a calm approach to problem-solving.

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Sometimes it's good to relax a bit. We are working on everything, we are trying to find solutions for everything. Sometimes, when you start by screaming and shouting, it has the opposite effect of finding solutions.

He concluded by thanking numerous individuals and entities for their contributions to what he called the "biggest event ever," including journalists, staff, and the leaders of the host nations: the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Infantino specifically praised U.S. President Donald Trump, stating that the World Cup in the USA would have been impossible without his involvement.

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Without his engagement and involvement, I think it would have been impossible to hold a World Cup in the USA.