Gianni Infantino on Tuesday defended the pricing of World Cup tickets, arguing that FIFA is required to operate within US laws that permit tickets to be resold at prices far above their original value.

The governing body has come under heavy criticism over ticket costs, with Football Supporters Europe (FSE) describing the pricing system as “extortionate” and calling it a “monumental betrayal” of fans.

FSE escalated the issue in March by filing a complaint with the European Commission, accusing FIFA of setting excessively high ticket prices for the tournament.

Meanwhile, FIFA’s official resale platform, FIFA Marketplace, recently listed four tickets for the July 19 final in New York at prices exceeding $2 million each (£1.47m).

Speaking at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, Infantino said such staggering prices are driven by high demand rather than official pricing.

“If tickets appear on resale platforms at $2 million, it doesn’t mean that’s their original price,” he said. “And it also doesn’t guarantee that anyone will actually buy them.”

He added jokingly that if someone does pay $2 million for a final ticket, he would personally deliver them a hot dog and a Coke to ensure they enjoy the match.

Fan groups have highlighted the sharp contrast in ticket prices between this summer’s tournament and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

For the 2022 final, the highest face-value ticket was around $1,600, whereas for 2026 the top-priced ticket is expected to reach roughly $11,000 at its original cost.

Gianni Infantino maintained that the significant rise in prices is justified, stressing that FIFA must align with market conditions.

“We have to consider the market — particularly in the US, where the entertainment industry is highly developed — and price accordingly,” he said.

Infantino also pointed out that US regulations allow ticket resales, meaning underpriced tickets would likely be flipped for much higher amounts.

“Even though some argue our prices are already high, tickets still appear on resale platforms at more than double the original cost,” he added.

According to Infantino, demand for the 2026 tournament has been unprecedented, with more than 500 million ticket requests received — compared to fewer than 50 million combined for the 2018 and 2022 editions.

He also noted that a quarter of group-stage tickets are priced below $300.

“You can’t attend a college game in the US — let alone a top-tier professional match — for under $300,” Infantino said. “And this is the World Cup.”