FIFA has tripled the price of the best available tickets for the 2026 World Cup final, making the $32,970 (about Rp570 million) ticket price available on Thursday, May 7, 2026, for the July 19, 2026 match at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey.
FIFA listed the seats as Category 1 Front Row on its sales site the same day as members of Congress questioned the 2026 World Cup ticket pricing structure and asked the world soccer federation to be more transparent about the asking price.
FIFA previously set a high price of 10,990 US dollars (around Rp190 million) for Category 1 at the final. However, the ticket is now only available as Category 1 for wheelchair and easy access.
Tickets for the semifinals on July 14, 2026 at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, are listed at $11,130 (Rp193 million), $4,330 (Rp75 million), $3,710 (Rp64 million), and $2,705 (Rp47 million). Tickets for the next day's semifinals at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta are on sale for $10,635 (Rp184 million), $3,545 (Rp61 million), and $2,725 (Rp47 million).
Tickets for the opening match of the United States against Paraguay on June 12, 2026 at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, are available for $2,735, $1,940, and $1,120.
Meanwhile, tickets for the United States vs. Australia match on June 19, 2026 at Lumen Field, Seattle, are sold for 2,715 (Rp47 million).
Tickets for the United States' final match in the group stage against Turkey in Inglewood on June 25, 2026, are on sale for $2,970, $1,345, $990 and $840.
Members of the United States Congress, Nellie Pou and Frank Pallone Jr., both from the New Jersey Democratic Party, sent a letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Thursday morning local time, May 7, 2026, asking for an explanation of what they called the organization's use of a non-transparent dynamic pricing and the anger it caused.
"We are deeply concerned by reports that FIFA is using opaque pricing, rule changes, and potentially deceptive practices that make it difficult for fans to access seats."
"We are writing to request further information about this ticketing practice, including how FIFA ensures that the 2026 World Cup is affordable for all fans and responds to fans who feel misled," the letter read, as reported by ESPN.
However, Infantino actually defended the ticket price.
"We have to look at the market. We are in a market where entertainment is the most advanced in the world. So, we have to apply market prices."
"In the United States, ticket resale is also allowed. So, if you sell tickets at too low a price, the ticket will be resold at a much higher price."
"The reality is, even though some people say that the ticket price we set is high, the ticket still ends up in the resale market at a higher price, more than double our price."
"You can't watch a college football game in the United States, let alone a top-level professional game, for less than 300 US dollars (about 5 million rupiah)," Infantino said on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California.
While Super Bowl tickets and college football national championship games can rival the prices of some 2026 World Cup tickets, tickets to college and professional sports events in the United States, including the ongoing NBA playoffs, are typically available for less than $300.
In the FIFA resale or exchange market, tickets for the final are available on Thursday, May 7, 2026, with prices ranging from 11,499,998.85 US dollars (approximately Rp119.8 billion) to 8,970 US dollars (approximately Rp155.8 million). The high price is listed for a four-row ticket from the top of the upper stand, in block 307, row 22, seat 12.
FIFA does not control the prices asked for on the ticket resale or exchange market, but takes a 15 percent purchase fee from the buyer for each ticket and a 15 percent resale fee from the seller.
Last month, someone listed tickets for the final for $2,299,998.85 (about Rp39.9 billion).
"If some people put a price of 2 million US dollars on the final ticket on the secondary market, on the resale market, first of all, it does not mean that the ticket is really worth 2 million US dollars."
"Second, it doesn't mean someone will buy the ticket. In fact, if someone buys a final ticket for 2 million US dollars, I will personally bring hot dogs and Coca-Cola to make sure he has a pleasant experience," said Infantino.
Another issue of concern related to costs at this summer's 2026 World Cup is transportation to and from matches, particularly for those who intend to use New Jersey Transit to go to and from MetLife Stadium.
The high travel costs are now a little cheaper. NJ Transit reduced the planned round-trip fare of $150 (Rp2.6 million) from all stations to the stadium in East Rutherford to $105 (Rp1.8 million).
However, this figure is still much higher than the cost of a round-trip ticket of around 13 US dollars (around Rp225 thousand) from Manhattan's Penn Station to the stadium.
A spokeswoman for Governor Mikie Sherrill said the Democratic governor has directed the transportation agency to seek private and nontax funds to mitigate the planned rate hike.
"The governor appreciates all the companies that have worked to reduce costs for ticket holders. He will continue to ensure that the 2026 World Cup will be a rewarding experience for fans and all New Jersey residents," said Steve Sigmund, a spokesman for Sherrill, in a statement.
A FIFA spokesman declined to comment. The world football federation has previously warned that public transport prices in New Jersey could have a dire effect on the match, noting that other host cities in the United States, such as Los Angeles, Dallas and Houston, have maintained their rates.
MetLife, the home stadium for the New York Giants and New York Jets of the NFL, will host eight 2026 World Cup matches, including the final.
Then, the group stage matches for strong football teams such as Brazil, France, Germany, and England, along with other countries, begin on June 13, 2026.
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