FIFA president Gianni Infantino (R) presents US President Donald Trump a FIFA world Cup ticket for the final match in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on August 22, 2025. Trump announced the 2026 World Cup draw will be held on December 5 at Washington’s Kennedy Center. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
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Soccer is supposed to be the people’s game.
It’s supposed to be for everyone to enjoy in person.
However, we have been reminded that 2026 FIFA World Cup has turned into the rich people’s game.
Since October, tickets have been on sale through the official FIFA website through exorbitant prices.
Several news websites recently have reported tickets for the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. going for as much as $2,299,998.85 a ticket, on FIFA’s Resale Marketplace website.
That’s no typographical error; that’s $2,299,998.85.
The resale website allows ticket holders to resell their seats, whether they want to make a profit or just to break even. It should be noted that FIFA does not control the prices on that website. However, FIFA will take a 15-percent fee from the seller and purchaser of tickets. If they are sold, FIFA could earn nearly $600,000 in additional money from the purchase price of those aforementioned tickets.
Adidas Trionda ball is seen at the store in Mexico City, Mexico on October 30, 2025. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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World Cup Tickets Can Be Bought On FIFA’s Resale Marketplace
FIFA explained its Resale Marketplace strategy.
“FIFA’s Resale Marketplace provides a safe, transparent and secure environment for fans to sell or transfer tickets to other fans,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
“The applicable resale facilitation fees are aligned with industry standards across North American sports and entertainment sectors.”
On Tuesday morning, this writer checked out the FIFA’s resale platform and could not find those $2M-plus tickets. They likely were lowered or perhaps purchased by a millionaire or billionaire.
There still were some eye-popping prices. According to the resale platform, ticket prices for the final ranged $9,888.85 to $11,499,998.85, although the latter amount could not be found.
However, there was one field-level seat in Category 1, Block 104, Row 1, Seat 3, which is just to the left of one of the goals, that has a price of $989,405.39. It may not be $2 million, but it was expensive enough for most fans.
If there isn’t a market for those high-priced tickets, holders can lower the costs on the resale website.
“FIFA’s pricing strategy spans a broad range of price points and categories, reflecting market demand for each match,” the governing body told CNN.
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 15: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Etihad Stadium on March 15, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
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Guardiola: When The World Cup Was Affordable
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has lamented the high cost of attending a World Cup match.
“I remember the World Cup—years, years, years ago — [it was] was like a celebration of the joy of football for the nations going there,” he told reporters recently.
“Everyone traveled all around the globe, from the other continents, to see your country, to play there. And it was affordable.
“Now, [it’s] modern times, right?
“It’s so expensive, but I’m not there. So I don’t know the reason why. Hopefully they can think about it.
“Of course, you have to think about the sponsors. You have to think about all this kind of stuff, because otherwise it will not be sustainable. Everybody knows it. But fans are the key. The key for this business [to] go on.”
As we get closer to the July 19 final and seats go unsold, there is a good possibility that prices will drop on the official FIFA ticket website and the resale site. That’s part of FIFA’s pricing strategy, where prices can move up and down, depending on demand.
But if FIFA turns off fans with the initial prices so high, will they want to return to purchase tickets at a later date, regardless of the price?
At the other end of the spectrum, cities are trying to open up the World Cup to its citizens.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 27: New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a press conference at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park on April 27, 2026 in New York City. Mayor Mamdani was joined by Gov. Kathy Hochul, government officials and members of the New York New Jersey FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Committee as they announced NYC will be hosting five free World Cup viewing parties in various parts of NYC. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
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New York City Fan Fests Will Be Free – For the Fans
On Monday, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, along with the FIFA World Cup 2026 New York New Jersey Host Committee on Monday announced that all five boroughs will host Fan Fests during the competition. They will be free.
“These events were not initially set to be free, but the world’s game should belong to the world,” Mamdani said.
New York City fans who have purchased tickets for game at MetLife Stadium will have to pay through the nose on transportation. NJ Transit is charging $150 roundtrips on trips to the venue on game days. Those commuting by car will have to pay $225 to park at the nearby American Dream Mall and then walk to the stadium.
“When I think back on my first World Cup, some of my most meaningful memories weren’t in the stadium, they were in the fan zones, surrounded by thousands of people brought together by a pure love of the game,” Mamdani said. “That’s what we’re building here: a World Cup that belongs to New Yorkers. By bringing these free fan events to every borough, we’re making sure everyone can be part of that joy.”