• Wide debate over ticket pricing and resale inflation
• Sharp gap between official rates and secondary-market listings

FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he is personally willing to deliver a hot dog and soft drink to anyone who buys a World Cup final ticket for $2 million.

The remarks come amid growing controversy over high ticket prices for this summer’s tournament, which have drawn significant criticism, especially after tickets appeared on FIFA’s official resale platform at five-figure amounts.

Infantino joked that if any ticket were sold at such an extreme price, he would deliver it himself to ensure fans receive a “special experience.”

He also pointed to reports of World Cup final tickets in New Jersey being listed at nearly $2.3 million per seat behind the goal, stressing that this does not reflect official pricing and does not necessarily mean they will be sold.

Infantino defended the pricing model once again, saying it is in line with major sporting events in the United States, where ticket resale is legal and can sometimes drive secondary-market prices to more than double their original value.

He added that around 25% of group-stage tickets are available for under $300, comparing it to attending a college game in the U.S., “but in this case, we are talking about the World Cup.”

In a related development, FIFA has updated its ticket resale platform, prohibiting the sale of World Cup matches in Toronto above their original face value, in line with new legislation passed in Ontario banning resale of tickets at inflated prices.

The change also included removing Toronto Stadium tickets from the secondary market and requiring that all sales be conducted at the official listed price. However, tickets for other venues across North America can still be resold above face value.

Meanwhile, fans in the United States are facing significantly higher overall costs to attend the tournament, including tickets, accommodation, and transport, with prices expected to rise further during the competition period.