The president of the world soccer governing body, Infantino, has been forced to justify the World Cup’s pricing system with outrage mounting over the record prices for the 48-team tournament to be held in the USA.
Prices, which start at $140 for group stage matches, are capped at $8,680 for standard seats and $73,200 for hospitality before the latter was reduced again to almost $33,000, with demand and the resale market determining what is appropriate.
The Swiss claims that if FIFA sets tickets at a much cheaper rate, the resale market would only drive them higher, and compares them to other major US sporting events like the NBA Finals and NFL playoffs.
Infantino confirmed the average price per ticket at the finals will still be less than $500 and claims it could have been significantly higher if fans had to pay per view to watch matches with no change to FIFA’s resale plan.
He discussed how referee Omar Artan from Somalia has been unable to enter the United States. FIFA is doing what they can from the shadows and can only lobby.
Infantino also paid tribute to everyone working on getting Iran into the tournament; stated that the situation was a result of political factors, and that he is not worried about ongoing legal probes into the ticketing system in different US states, welcomes investigation.
