FIFA president Gianni Infantino says high World Cup ticket prices are justified, arguing that FIFA is required to operate within US ticket-resale rules that permit tickets to be resold for far above face value. Infantino’s comments come as FIFA faces criticism from fan groups over what they describe as excessive pricing and practices that they say benefit from lucrative resale markets.
The dispute centers on FIFA’s role in the resale ecosystem in the United States, where tickets can change hands for thousands of dollars more than their original prices. The Guardian reports that FIFA takes a 30% cut from resale transactions. Several supporters’ organizations have called the pricing arrangement “extortionate” and a “monumental betrayal.”
Football Supporters Europe (FSE) filed a lawsuit with the European Commission in March, challenging FIFA over “excessive ticket prices” for the tournament. The outlets report that the public debate continues as FIFA and Infantino defend their pricing approach, while critics urge regulatory scrutiny.
