FIFA has tripled the price of its best available tickets for the 2026 World Cup final, listing seats at $32,970 for the July 19 match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The governing body previously offered category one tickets at $10,990, but the new front category one seats represent a significant increase. The $10,990 category remained available only for wheelchair and easy access amenity seats.
Semifinal and U.S. Match Prices
Tickets for the July 14 semifinal at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, were listed at $11,130, $4,330, $3,710, and $2,705. The following day's semifinal at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium offered seats at $10,635, $3,545, and $2,725. For the U.S. opener against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, tickets ranged from $2,735 to $1,120. The Americans' June 19 game against Australia in Seattle had tickets at $2,715, while the group-stage finale against Turkey on June 25 in Inglewood were priced at $2,970, $1,345, $990, and $840.
Infantino Defends Pricing
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the pricing strategy at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California. "We have to look at the market. We are in a market in which entertainment is the most developed in the world, so we have to apply market rates," he said. He noted that resale markets often drive prices higher, adding, "You cannot go to watch in the U.S. a college game, not even speaking about a top professional game of a certain level, for less than $300."
Resale Market Concerns
On the FIFA Resale/Exchange Marketplace, final tickets ranged from $11,499,998.85 to $8,970, with the highest price for a seat in the upper deck. FIFA takes a 15% purchase fee from buyers and a 15% resale fee from sellers but does not control asking prices. Last month, a ticket was listed at $2,299,998.85. Infantino joked that if someone buys a $2 million ticket, he would personally bring a hot dog and a Coke to ensure a great experience.
Lawmakers Demand Transparency
U.S. Representatives Frank Pallone and Nellie Pou, both New Jersey Democrats, sent a letter to Infantino on Thursday requesting details on FIFA's dynamic pricing, unsold tickets, and fees. They accused FIFA of misleading seat maps and restricting supply to shape demand. "For many fans hoping to attend matches this summer, the ticket sales process has become a major point of frustration," they wrote. FIFA's media office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
