### World Cup Ticket Demand Soars: Infantino's Defense of Pricing Amidst 150 Million Requests The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has generated unprecedented interest, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino announcing that the organization received a staggering **150 million ticket requests** within just 15 days of sales opening. This overwhelming demand has prompted Infantino to defend the ticket prices, which some critics have labeled as excessive. He argues that the high prices are justified due to the significant revenue they generate for the sport globally, which is essential for its development and sustainability. Infantino emphasized that without FIFA's efforts, football would not thrive in many countries around the world, highlighting the organization's role in promoting the sport internationally [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/infantino-defends-world-cup-ticket-132056186.html][https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/fifa-received-150-million-world-cup-ticket-requests-infantino-says]. ### Breakdown of Infantino's Defense and Key Points 1. **Record Demand for Tickets** - FIFA has reported **150 million requests** for World Cup tickets, indicating a massive global interest in the event [https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3338072/fifa-boss-infantino-hails-2026-world-cup-demand-after-150-million-tickets-requested]. 2. **Justification of Ticket Prices** - Infantino defends the ticket pricing by stating that the revenue generated is crucial for the development of football worldwide, suggesting that the high demand supports the pricing structure [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3744296-infantino-defends-world-cup-ticket-prices-amid-heavy-demand]. 3. **Impact on Global Football** - He claims that without FIFA's financial contributions, many countries would lack the resources to support football, reinforcing the idea that ticket sales are vital for the sport's growth [https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2025/12/29/fifa-received-150-million-world-cup-ticket-requests-says-infantino]. ### Supporting Evidence of Demand and Pricing - **Ticket Requests**: - **150 million** requests received in just **15 days** [https://www.aryanage.com/article/23481/world-cup-ticket-frenzy-fifa-says-150-million-requests-flood]. - **Revenue Generation**: - Infantino highlighted that the revenue from ticket sales is reinvested into football development globally, which is essential for sustaining the sport [https://985theriver.com/2025/12/29/soccer-fifa-received-150-million-world-cup-ticket-requests-infantino-says]. ### Conclusion: Infantino's Position on World Cup Ticket Pricing In summary, **Gianni Infantino's defense of World Cup ticket prices is rooted in the extraordinary demand and the financial necessity for global football development**. The staggering **150 million ticket requests** reflect a robust interest in the tournament, which Infantino argues justifies the pricing strategy. The revenue generated from these ticket sales is not merely a profit mechanism but a critical component for fostering football in numerous countries. 1. **Record Demand**: 150 million requests indicate a strong global interest. 2. **Justification of Prices**: High prices are defended as necessary for revenue generation. 3. **Global Impact**: Revenue supports football development worldwide, essential for the sport's sustainability. Infantino's statements underscore the complex relationship between ticket pricing, demand, and the broader implications for football's future [https://www.maltanewsagency.com/2025/12/infantino-150-million-ticket-requests-for-the-world-cup-in-just-15-days][https://thesun.my/sports/football/fifa-defends-world-cup-ticket-prices-amid-150-million-requests].