The prices displayed on the official FIFA resale platform are not included in these figures. For instance, a third-class ticket for the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey was listed at a shocking $143,750, which is over 41 times its original value of $3,450. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, on the other hand, confirms that the price increase simply reflects the enormous demand, pointing out that 'the US uses dynamic pricing, where prices go up or down depending on the nature of the match and the level of attendance.' Amidst continuous criticism of the high prices, FIFA has announced the creation of a lower-priced ticket category. However, the seats available for $60 were reserved exclusively for fans of the qualified national teams and represent 10% of each national association's allocation. Ticket prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup range from $900 for the opening match to $8,000 for the final match, making attendance at this most important global football event, which starts in 100 days, very expensive. According to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), a total of about seven million tickets were put up for sale, with each person allowed to purchase a maximum of four tickets per match and no more than 40 tickets throughout the tournament. During the first sales phase, which took place via a lottery in October, nearly two million tickets were sold. The second phase, held in December and January, also used a lottery system and attracted a record 508 million applications, according to FIFA. The federation did not disclose the exact number of tickets allocated during this phase, but the matches with the highest demand were the final round of Group 11 between Colombia and Portugal in Miami on June 27, the host Mexico's match against South Korea in Guadalajara on June 18, and the final match scheduled for MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19. This expanded World Cup, the first in history with 48 teams, will feature 104 matches, with a significant increase in ticket prices, especially for the most in-demand games. The European Football Fans' Association had noted that the joint North American hosting bid had initially committed to offering tickets starting at $21. However, the cheapest tickets actually offered were $60, as was the case for the Group 10 opening match between Austria and Jordan at Levi's Stadium in California. Most tickets for matches involving major teams cost over $200, with final match tickets starting at $2,000 and going up to $8,680 for the best seats.
