All articles tagged with #fifa
European critics are pressing to boycott the 2026 World Cup in North America, arguing the tournament is entwined with President Trump’s legacy; Ishaan Tharoor notes FIFA’s affinity for Trump, including Infantino’s Peace Prize gesture, highlighting the event’s political controversy and legitimacy questions.
International officials and lawmakers debate boycotting the U.S.-hosted World Cup over immigration crackdowns, visa delays, and safety concerns, with FIFA silent on action and organizers worried that attendance and travel plans could be affected.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter endorsed a proposed fan boycott of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, aligning with Mark Pieth’s criticism of U.S. governance; the calls add to concerns about the U.S. as a co-host with Canada and Mexico, amid travel bans and immigration enforcement affecting fans from several qualifying countries.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter endorsed a proposed fan boycott of the U.S.-hosted World Cup, echoing Mark Pieth’s remarks and criticizing the Trump era’s policies, as international soccer figures question the United States’ suitability as a World Cup host ahead of the tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Oke Göttlich, St. Pauli president and German Football Association vice president, urged Europe to seriously discuss boycotting the 2026 World Cup in response to Donald Trump’s escalating rhetoric and broader U.S. foreign moves, likening the moment to Cold War Olympic boycotts and criticizing FIFA for perceived double standards. France said there is no desire to boycott, highlighting mixed views on politics in sport as the U.S.-hosted tournament approaches.
FIFA said more than 500 million ticket requests were filed during the month-long window for the 2026 World Cup, with random draws planned to assign tickets for all 104 matches in February; about 2 million tickets had already been sold and 4–5 million remain, signaling oversubscription. The most requested matches included Colombia-Portugal, Mexico-Korea Republic, the final and the opener, while high prices and a robust resale market have drawn scrutiny. A final sales phase in spring remains possible as the tournament runs June 11–July 19 across 16 host cities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
FIFA has received more than 350 million ticket requests for the 2026 World Cup lotteries, vastly outstripping the roughly 7 million tickets available across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The surge comes as critics warn dynamic pricing could price out average fans, even as officials note the tournament’s massive global demand (and viewership, with the draw drawing about 800 million viewers and the final about 1.6 billion).
The San Francisco Bay Area is considering scaling back its official FIFA fan festivals for the 2026 World Cup due to less marketable matchups and high costs, potentially shifting to smaller community-led events, as FIFA and local organizers evaluate the economic and operational implications of the event.
FIFA has increased ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup, sparking controversy, but the organization argues that high prices are necessary to fund its extensive operations, support football development worldwide, and maintain large financial reserves, despite being a non-profit.
Fifa is returning to video games in 2026 after a four-year hiatus, with Netflix securing the rights to develop and publish the new game, which will be accessible via mobile devices and TVs, marking a significant shift in the franchise's history and aiming to reach a global audience ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The FIFA Council approved a record $655 million prize fund for the 2026 World Cup, a 50% increase from 2022, with winners receiving $50 million. Ticket prices have surged dramatically, with some categories increasing by up to 459%, prompting FIFA to introduce a limited number of cheaper tickets after backlash. FIFA projects significant revenue growth, emphasizing the tournament's financial impact on global football.
The article discusses the high ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup, highlighting FIFA's pricing strategy, the impact of the unregulated secondary market, and the lack of affordable options for loyal fans, which together create a perception of exclusion and criticize FIFA's approach to revenue and fan engagement.
FIFA faces criticism for its high and variable ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup, with political figures and fan groups urging the organization to lower costs and address pricing disparities, amid concerns that fans are being priced out of attending the tournament.
FIFA plans to sell $60 tickets for 10% of the seats at each game of the 2026 World Cup, but only to supporters of qualified teams, with limited availability, amid widespread fan outrage over high ticket and travel costs. Despite the controversy, demand remains high, with 20 million ticket requests received so far.
FIFA has introduced a new $60 ticket category for the 2026 World Cup to address backlash over high prices, offering around 1,000 tickets per game for supporters of participating teams, but critics argue the measure is insufficient and excludes many fans, especially those with disabilities.