FIFA's Latest Power Play: The True Cost of a World Cup Ticket
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, fans around the globe are bracing themselves for a hefty price tag. A single ticket to the final match in the US will set you back £3,120 – a staggering seven times more than the cheapest ticket sold at the last World Cup in Qatar. This latest development has left many scratching their heads, wondering why FIFA would choose to prioritize profits over people.
Critics argue that this is just the latest example of FIFA's autocratic tendencies, where the governing body prioritizes its own interests over those of the fans and the host country. The organization's president, Gianni Infantino, has been accused of cozying up to authoritarian regimes in an effort to learn from their "best practices." In reality, this amounts to a cynical attempt to silence critics and stifle dissent.
FIFA's relationship with autocrats is nothing new. The organization has long had ties to some of the world's most repressive regimes, and its leaders have been known to engage in questionable partnerships with these nations. This latest development is particularly worrying, given the involvement of US President Donald Trump – a man who has made no secret of his disdain for democratic institutions.
The impact on fans cannot be overstated. The high cost of tickets will further exacerbate the existing issue of affordability and accessibility in football. Those who can afford to attend the World Cup will have every opportunity to indulge, but those who cannot will be left to watch from afar, forced to pay exorbitant prices for secondary ticketing sites.
FIFA's power dynamics are also at play here. The organization has long been accused of rigging elections through sweetheart deals and cronyism. This latest development is just the latest example of Infantino's regime using its influence to silence critics and stifle dissent.
As fans prepare to shell out hundreds of pounds for a ticket, they must do so with one eye on their bank accounts and another on the farcical spectacle unfolding before them. Will this World Cup be the same old autocratic shenanigans we've come to expect from FIFA? Only time will tell.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, fans around the globe are bracing themselves for a hefty price tag. A single ticket to the final match in the US will set you back £3,120 – a staggering seven times more than the cheapest ticket sold at the last World Cup in Qatar. This latest development has left many scratching their heads, wondering why FIFA would choose to prioritize profits over people.
Critics argue that this is just the latest example of FIFA's autocratic tendencies, where the governing body prioritizes its own interests over those of the fans and the host country. The organization's president, Gianni Infantino, has been accused of cozying up to authoritarian regimes in an effort to learn from their "best practices." In reality, this amounts to a cynical attempt to silence critics and stifle dissent.
FIFA's relationship with autocrats is nothing new. The organization has long had ties to some of the world's most repressive regimes, and its leaders have been known to engage in questionable partnerships with these nations. This latest development is particularly worrying, given the involvement of US President Donald Trump – a man who has made no secret of his disdain for democratic institutions.
The impact on fans cannot be overstated. The high cost of tickets will further exacerbate the existing issue of affordability and accessibility in football. Those who can afford to attend the World Cup will have every opportunity to indulge, but those who cannot will be left to watch from afar, forced to pay exorbitant prices for secondary ticketing sites.
FIFA's power dynamics are also at play here. The organization has long been accused of rigging elections through sweetheart deals and cronyism. This latest development is just the latest example of Infantino's regime using its influence to silence critics and stifle dissent.
As fans prepare to shell out hundreds of pounds for a ticket, they must do so with one eye on their bank accounts and another on the farcical spectacle unfolding before them. Will this World Cup be the same old autocratic shenanigans we've come to expect from FIFA? Only time will tell.