FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the 2026 World Cup ticket prices, citing unprecedented demand and the need to fund global football development. He noted that 150 million ticket requests were received in 15 days, far exceeding historical sales. While fan groups criticized the high costs compared to the 2022 World Cup, FIFA introduced a lower-priced tier. Infantino emphasized that World Cup revenues are crucial for supporting football in 150 countries worldwide.