Infantino specifically defended the record ticket prices, addressed FIFA's inability to influence the U.S. government regarding a denied visa for a Somali referee, and praised his role in securing the Iran national soccer team's entry into the United States.
World Cup Ticket Pricing Under Scrutiny
FIFA priced group-stage tickets starting at $140. Regular seats for the July 19 final outside New York were initially listed at up to $8,680, with hospitality seats reaching up to $73,200. These prices for the final were subsequently increased to $10,990 and then $32,970.
After receiving criticism, FIFA introduced a category of $60 tickets, which were offered to national federations for their regular supporters. Infantino stated that 130,000 tickets were made available in this lower-priced category. For comparison, at the tournament in Qatar four years prior, prices ranged from $69 to $1,607.
"If we do something wrong, then probably everyone selling tickets in North America is doing something wrong."
Infantino further elaborated on the pricing strategy, suggesting that lower price points in the North American market would likely result in tickets being resold on secondary markets at significantly higher prices, with the revenue benefiting scalpers rather than football.
"If you sell it at a lower price point, in this particular market it would have gone, which is perfectly legal in this country, in secondary markets at much, much, much higher prices and where would the money go then? Well, to those who organize secondary markets or black market activities and not to football."
He claimed the average ticket price for the tournament was below $500, comparing it to average prices for U.S. sports playoffs. While this claim may be accurate for resale prices, it does not appear to align with initial list prices. Major League Baseball's average World Series ticket price has been $350 to $400 in recent years, and NFL prices last season averaged $230 for the wild-card round, $320 for divisional games, $450 for conference championships, and $3,300 for the Super Bowl.
Infantino expressed confidence regarding ticket probes by attorneys general in California, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. He stated that FIFA is "very relaxed" about such investigations, noting that before selling millions of tickets, they consulted with legal and expert professionals. Infantino added, "If we do something wrong, then probably everyone selling tickets in North America is doing something wrong, as well." He welcomed every investigation, stating, "We are happy to present everything, and we are happy to make our case."
Somali Referee Denied US Entry
Infantino stated it was unfortunate that Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the U.S. Artan, who was set to become the first Somali referee at a World Cup was reportedly denied entry at Miami International Airport over unspecified "vetting concerns," according to a statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
"We don't control everything. We try. We'll discuss, we will speak, we'll see. Maybe sometimes it's good as well to just chill, relax. We try to solve everything. Sometimes to immediately start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect of finding a solution. Believe me when I tell you, or don't believe me if you don't want, but we try always to find solutions, always. But then we need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces."
Infantino added, "Our world is a very aggressive world and security goes above everything and you need to respect the decisions which are taken. We are working behind the scenes."
Iran National Team Participation
Infantino also commended FIFA's efforts in navigating details to allow Iran to play in the tournament, despite ongoing tensions between the U.S. and that country. The Iranian team moved its training camp from the U.S. to Mexico and plans to fly to the United States just before matches.
"I think it has already been successful to bring Iran to play in America. I don't know who would have managed to do that. And of course everyone here believes it's the right thing to do. But, again, we don't live on the moon. We live on planet Earth and you have to deal with different situations."
Tournament Projections and Leadership
Infantino claimed the upcoming World Cup will be "the biggest event probably in the history of mankind." FIFA is projecting $11 billion in revenue for the tournament. Infantino also noted that the governing body could have generated substantially more revenue, potentially $30 billion, if everything were exclusively pay-per-view, but chose not to, to allow billions worldwide to watch.
Now 56 years old, Infantino has served as FIFA president since 2016 and intends to seek another term next year, which would extend through 2031. At the news conference, he notably left an empty seat for Christophe Gleizes, a French freelance reporter who received a seven-year prison sentence in Algeria last year.
