FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed critical operational concerns just one day before the 2026 World Cup begins across North America. Speaking on June 10, Infantino defended the organization's stance on immigration issues and premium pricing strategies.
Infantino acknowledged that a Somali referee was denied entry to the United States but emphasized that FIFA cannot override sovereign government decisions regarding border control. The federation maintains it has no authority to intervene in individual visa adjudications.
On the financial front, tickets for the final range from $10,990 to nearly $33,000, with hospitality packages exceeding $73,000. Infantino stated these prices reflect market demand and help deter scalping, noting that entry-level tickets remain at $60 with an average price below $500.
The expanded 48-team tournament is projected to generate over $11 billion in revenue through broadcasting, sponsorship, and sales. More than 150 million ticket requests were received for matches hosted jointly by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Notably absent from the briefing was any mention of digital assets or blockchain technology. This marks a significant strategic shift from the 2022 Qatar World Cup, which featured prominent cryptocurrency sponsorship.