FIFA President Defends World Cup Ticket Prices Amidst Criticism and Investigations

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended World Cup ticket prices on Wednesday, saying “if we are doing something wrong, everyone in North America is doing something wrong.”

FIFA priced tickets starting at $140 (€121) for the 48-nation, 104-game tournament that starts on Thursday and priced regular seats up to $8,680 (€7,518) for the 19 July final in New Jersey.

It raised prices for the final to $10,990 (€9,518) and then $32,970 (€28,556).

After criticism from fans, FIFA offered a small amount of $60 (€51) tickets to national federations for their regular supporters. Infantino said on Wednesday 130,000 tickets were offered at that price, out of 6-7 million total.

Infantino said the average ticket price was under $500 (€433) for the tournament and was comparable to other US sports during their playoffs, a claim that while true for resale prices does not appear to be accurate for list prices.

He said he was unconcerned about investigations by attorneys general in California, New Jersey, New York and Texas.

“We are very relaxed about it because before starting to sell 6.5 million or 7 million tickets we check what we do with the best lawyers,” he said. “We welcome every investigation.”

The NBA Finals have had wildly varied get-in prices, ranging from a minimum of about $500 for the first two games in San Antonio to about $10,000 (€8,661) for Game 3 in New York. Game 4 in New York was much less, dropping to about $4,000 (€3,464) on Wednesday

The Stanley Cup Final this year between teams in Las Vegas and Raleigh, North Carolina, has included a get-in price of at least $600 (€519) for each of the first four games of the best-of-seven series.

FIFA powerless to get US entry for Somali referee

Infantino said it was “unfortunate” that Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the US and said people “should chill.”

He said FIFA cannot dictate to governments who to let into their countries, though it is working “behind the scenes.”

“We always try to make the situation as positive as possible and to find solutions," he said. "Sometimes we manage, other times not.”

“We don’t live on the moon, we live on planet Earth,” he said.

Artan insisted he had the correct visa for the US but he was turned back at Miami International Airport and then put on a flight back to Turkey.

A US State Department official said the referee was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations", therefore "making the traveller ineligible for admission to the United States."

Thousands of people turned out to welcome Artan back to the Somali capital Mogadishu on Wednesday.

"I will be at the next World Cup and will continue to make Somalia proud...Despite what has happened to me, I am not discouraged," he told journalists.

Artan, who was named the 2025 men's referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football, would have been the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup.

Meanwhile, concerns were rising that the curtain-raiser in Mexico City could be disrupted by social unrest.

Protesters blocked an avenue leading to the Estadio Azteca on Tuesday although lines of police prevented the demonstrators from reaching the stadium.

Thousands took part in the demonstration following a week of action that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has called a "provocation."

Sheinbaum has said that the opening match was "guaranteed," though the left-leaning leader again ruled out using police to repress the demonstrations.

US President Donald Trump, who has forged a close friendship with Infantino, announced plans to attend the World Cup, although he did not say which games.

"I spoke to Gianni this morning...he said there's never been anything close," to the success of the coming tournament, Trump said.

Messi sparkles on return

On the pitch, Argentina's superstar Lionel Messi scored moments after coming off the bench on Tuesday to dispel any injury doubts and help the holders win their final warm-up game.

The 38-year-old Messi had not featured for Argentina in the build-up to their title defence after injuring a hamstring playing for Inter Miami in late May.

He was introduced as a substitute with 20 minutes left to huge acclaim from a capacity 88,000 crowd against Iceland in Auburn, Alabama, and his clever through ball played in Lautaro Martinez, who was fouled in the box.

Messi, who drove Argentina to their third World Cup crown in Qatar four years ago and is set to feature in his sixth World Cup, lashed in the penalty to help the reigning champions ease to a 3-0 win.

Argentina's first match is on 16 June against Algeria in Kansas City.

Along with Spain, France and England, Argentina are among the favourites to win the title.