FIFA to review ticket strategy for 2030 World Cup / Photo: KARIM JAAFAR - AFP/File
-
Pacific islands to face food shortages over global warming: scientists
-
France sees limited economic hit from drought, heatwaves
-
Venice jury head Maggie Gyllenhaal questions lack of women directors
-
Bus crash in Egypt's Sinai kills 22, including 10 Jordanians
-
Stocks drop, bond yields rally on Mideast flare-up
-
UN says world must navigate 'reality' of 1.5C overshoot
-
China expands Egypt investments in first Xi visit in a decade
-
Taliban govt defends ban on protest, citing Islamic law
-
Messi departure leaves Argentina facing rebuild after golden era
-
10 missing as Turkish cargo ship sinks after collision off Istanbul
-
Ourbit SuperCEX Launches "Cosmic Wheel Season 3. Oracle Realm" on September 2 with 3M USDT Prize Pool
-
easyMarkets Expands Commodity Offering with 24/7 Gold, Silver and Oil Trading
-
Ebola death toll passes 3,000 in DR Congo: official data
-
Australia defends Pacific climate meeting despite doubts on attendance
-
Hong Kong democracy activist Wong pleads guilty to foreign collusion
-
Iran attacks US sites after American strikes, wedding deaths
-
World record prize winner Romantic Warrior retires from horse racing
-
Stocks drop, yields at three-decade highs on Mideast flare-up
-
5,000 US sailors arrive in Thailand after months at sea
-
EU summons Russian envoy, eyes sanctions after Germany drone 'attack'
-
Joshua Wong, Hong Kong's pro-democracy poster child
-
Stocks drop as yields and oil prices spike on Mideast flare-up
-
Nepal tunnel rescuers seek trapped workers but hit dead ends
-
Cricketers to get best rooms at Asian Games, says Japan chief
-
Zverev wins wild five-setter, Rybakina and Gauff ease through at US Open
-
Zverev out-lasts Sonego in wild five-setter to advance at US Open
-
US energy secretary arrives in Venezuela to discuss oil deal
-
Amid war, Ukrainian soldiers celebrate love at ritual wedding
-
Meloni government becomes Italy's longest-lasting
-
Venice to roll out red carpet for Clooney on opening night
-
Funerals in Nepal for missing, a week after deadly floods
-
Hong Kong democracy activist Wong pleads guilty to foreign collusion: AFP
-
US aircraft carrier arrives in Thailand after months at sea
-
Stocks sink, yields at multi-decade highs and oil spikes on Mideast flare-up
-
US aircraft carrier approaches Thai port after months at sea
-
US defends Trump Venezuela oil deal as energy secretary lands in Caracas
-
Nepal's young PM faces gravest test after flood catastrophe
-
Jubilant Monfils celebrates birthday with US Open win
-
What rainbow? LGBTQ Indonesians on edge as hostility mounts
-
The Japanese idealist behind the last deradicalisation NGO in Somalia
-
O'Connor eyes Wallabies World Cup swansong after Force return
-
Rybakina, Gauff advance as Zverev launches US Open campaign
-
Syria UXO causing death, injury every six hours: charity
-
Macron in Britain to help unveil tapestry, hold Burnham talks
-
Tiger Woods set to change not guilty plea in DUI case: court documents
-
China's Xi to hold talks with Sisi in rare visit to Egypt
-
Zelensky warns airlines Russian skies not safe due to Ukraine drones
-
Confident Gauff reaches US Open 2nd round with straight-set win
-
UK vows anti-settler measures as Israel warns of retaliation
-
US postal whistleblower warns ballot system could disrupt midterms
FIFA to review ticket strategy for 2030 World Cup
FIFA said Thursday it will review its ticketing strategy for the 2030 World Cup following anger over skyrocketing prices for the 2026 finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Speaking to reporters after the conclusion of the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom said high ticket prices for this year's tournament reflected "the reality of the market in North America."
"I will always have understanding for fans and their opinions, but I think there are quite a wide array of ticket prices -- some are cheap, some are more expensive," he said.
"But of course, you know, we listen, we take into the account the comments, and of course, as for every World Cup, we will review and see how we do it for the next one," Grafstrom added.
FIFA has faced searing criticism over soaring ticket prices for this year's World Cup, with fan organization Football Supporters Europe (FSE) branding the pricing structure "extortionate" and a "monumental betrayal" of fans.
FSE last month filed a lawsuit with the European Commission targeting FIFA over "excessive ticket prices" for the tournament.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino insists ticket prices are simply a consequence of the huge demand.
"In the US in particular there is this thing called dynamic pricing, meaning the prices will go up or down", depending on the match in question, Infantino has said.
FIFA's own ticket resale exchange this week showed four tickets on offer for the July 19 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium for an eye-watering $2 million apiece, according to reports.
Other resale platforms commonly show tickets for the World Cup final costing tens of thousands of dollars.
Asked on Thursday if he was concerned that anger over ticket prices would harm the legacy of the 2026 World Cup, Grafstrom pointed out that revenues from the World Cup -- estimated to generate up to $13 billion -- would be pumped back into football.
"I think, you know, the legacy is also what we'll be able to do with the money that it generates," Grafstrom said.
"This is a true legacy through the (FIFA) Forward program and in order to really develop the game of football in our member associations, and this will have a true impact."
P.Silva--AMWN
