Infantino defends World Cup ticket prices, dismisses referee US entry dispute
Key takeaways
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended World Cup ticket prices on Wednesday, saying critics should blame the wider North American market if FIFA was overcharging.
- Issued on: 11/06/2026 - 00:26Modified: 11/06/2026 - 00:27
- Infantino spoke with reporters during a rare question-and-answer session on the eve of the opening match of an expanded 48-nation, 104-game World Cup tournament.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended World Cup ticket prices on Wednesday, saying critics should blame the wider North American market if FIFA was overcharging. Speaking before the tournament opener, he said FIFA lacked authority to influence US visa decisions but highlighted efforts to secure entry for Iran's national team.
Issued on: 11/06/2026 - 00:26Modified: 11/06/2026 - 00:27
By: FRANCE 24 FIFA President Gianni Infantino gave a defiant press conference on the eve of the World Cup © Alfredo ESTRELLA, AFP FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended World Cup ticket prices on Wednesday, saying “if we do something wrong, then probably everyone selling tickets in North America is doing something wrong."