High ticket resale prices for the 2026 World Cup final spark controversy

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, has generated significant controversy over extreme ticket resale prices on the official FIFA platform. Tickets for the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey have been listed for as much as 2.1 million euros or 2.3 million dollars each. FIFA does not set these secondary market prices but receives a 15% commission from both the buyer and the seller, potentially earning roughly 600,000 dollars per high-value transaction. While some tickets for the final start at lower prices, such as 16,000 dollars, the overall costs including travel and accommodation have drawn intense criticism from fans. The tournament, featuring 104 matches across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, aims for record-breaking revenues of 10.25 billion euros. Organizers maintain that their pricing model aligns with standard North American sports and entertainment practices. Meanwhile, geopolitical concerns regarding the participation of Iran and regional stability persist as the start date approaches.