INFANTINO DEFENDS WORLD CUP TICKET PRICES AND TELLS FANS TO CHILL

FIFA president Gianni Infantino used a launch press conference on Wednesday to defend the pricing structure of the 2026 World Cup and urge fans to remain calm over a series of issues affecting the tournament. The competition begins on Thursday, with the United States, Canada and Mexico serving as co-hosts across a 48-nation, 104-game schedule. Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States this week after the Trump administration alleged he had links to suspected members of terror organisations. Infantino acknowledged FIFA was powerless to secure Artan's admission but told the public to "chill, relax", stating the governing body is continuously working to resolve problems facing the tournament.

FIFA set opening ticket prices at $140, with regular seats rising to $8,680 for the 19 July final in New Jersey, before raising that ceiling to $10,990 and subsequently $32,970. Following public criticism, FIFA offered a limited allocation of $60 tickets to national federations for their regular supporters. Infantino stated the average ticket price across the tournament sat below $500 and compared costs to US play-off sport, though that comparison applies to resale prices rather than list prices. He cited the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs as an example of wider price increases across major American sporting events.

Infantino said he was unconcerned by investigations launched by attorneys general in California, New Jersey, New York and Texas. He stated FIFA had consulted legal and commercial experts before selling between 6.5 million and 7 million tickets and said the organisation welcomes every investigation. Iran's participation in the tournament had also previously been in doubt amid the country's ongoing conflict with the United States. The opening match takes place on Thursday evening, with Mexico facing South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.