World Cup ticket prices spark backlash ahead of U.S. matches

Friday, May 8, 2026 5:50PM ET
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- There is growing backlash over the cost of World Cup ticket prices.

The United States is set to play Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles, but the cheapest ticket currently available is priced at about $1,000.

Tickets for the World Cup final are averaging around $1,300, roughly eight times higher than prices for the previous championship match.

FIFA did introduce limited ticket options starting at $60, but data show fewer than 2% of tickets were made available at that price.

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the ticket prices.



"We have to look at the market. We are in a market in which entertainment is the most developed in the world, so we have to apply market rates," he said Tuesday at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California. "In the U.S. it is permitted to resell tickets, as well, so if you were to sell tickets at the price which is too low, these tickets will be resold at a much higher price. And as a matter of fact, even though some people are saying that the ticket prices we have are high, they still end up on the resale market at an even higher price, more than double of our price."

He added, "You cannot go to watch in the U.S. a college game, not even speaking about a top professional game of a certain level, for less than $300."

High hotel and transportation costs are also spoiling the fun for fans.

Critics say the cost is way out of reach for most families.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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