FIFA has defended the cost of World Cup tickets and addressed concerns over visa-related controversies as the 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway on Thursday, June 11.
The tournament opens with co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, marking the start of the largest World Cup in history. The competition, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, features 48 teams and will run for nearly six weeks, culminating in the final in New Jersey on July 19.
Projected to generate a record $13 billion in revenue, the tournament has drawn criticism over soaring ticket prices and immigration-related issues affecting some officials and supporters seeking entry into the United States.
Speaking in Mexico City on Wednesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino dismissed concerns over ticket costs, insisting that prices remain competitive compared to major sporting events in North America.
“Let me just say that our entry price, which is 60 dollars, is the lowest entry price of any of the American sports in the play-off phases,” Infantino said.
“Our average price, which is below 500 dollars, is again the lowest of the American sports on average.”
His comments came amid criticism that some premium tickets had been listed for more than $30,000.
Infantino also addressed the controversy surrounding Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry into the United States after arriving in Miami last Saturday due to security concerns raised by immigration authorities.
FIFA later confirmed that Artan would take no part in the tournament.
“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia,” Infantino said.
“We don’t control everything. Sometimes it’s good to chill, relax. We work on everything and try to solve everything. Sometimes immediately screaming and shouting has the opposite effect of finding a solution.”
The FIFA president further highlighted Iran’s participation in the tournament despite ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington, describing it as a significant achievement.
“People were saying Iran couldn’t come to the World Cup. There are challenges, it’s not easy, but I don’t know who else would have been able to ensure, in these circumstances which we could not influence, that Iran could come and play,” he said.
Infantino also defended his close working relationship with United States President Donald Trump, arguing that the president’s involvement had been crucial to hosting the tournament.
“Without his engagement and involvement, I think it would have been impossible to organise a World Cup in the United States,” Infantino said.
Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he intends to attend some matches during the tournament, although he did not disclose which fixtures.
Meanwhile, South Africa coach Hugo Broos acknowledged the challenge his team will face in the opening match, with an expected crowd of about 85,000 passionate Mexican supporters at Estadio Azteca.
“They will have 85,000 Mexicans shouting and singing. But we have to focus on our game. And if we can do that, then we can have a good game,” Broos said.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre is also seeking to end his country’s poor record in World Cup opening matches, having never won a tournament opener despite appearing in seven previous editions.
“We have to break the statistic,” Aguirre said. “I’m going to share that fact with the players. It will be another source of motivation.”
The second match of the opening day will see South Korea take on the Czech Republic in Guadalajara.
Spain, France and England enter the tournament as bookmakers’ favourites, while defending champions Argentina will once again look to veteran captain Lionel Messi to inspire another title challenge.
AFP
