FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the ticket prices for next year's soccer World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, citing heavy demand and the revenue it generates for the sport around the world but fan groups are still unhappy with what they say is unfair pricing.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino responded to criticism about ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, highlighting unprecedented demand with 150 million ticket requests. He noted that FIFA has introduced a $60 ticket tier to improve affordability, though fan groups argue this measure is still insufficient.

Infantino emphasized that revenue from ticket sales is reinvested into football worldwide, supporting the sport in 150 countries. Despite the new pricing, significant price gaps remain between ticket categories, with some seats costing up to $6,900. The United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom have submitted the highest number of ticket requests.

Infantino defends World Cup ticket pricing as fan pressure builds

FIFA President Gianni Infantino knocked back complaints about ticket prices for next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico on Monday. During a speech at the World Sports Summit in Dubai, he said there has been heavy demand for soccer's showpiece event, with 150 million requests to buy tickets. 150 million ticket requests means that if you think that in almost 100 years of history of the World Cup, FIFA has sold 44 million tickets in total, so in two weeks for the next World Cup next year, we could have filled 300 years of World Cups. The tournament has been under fire after fan groups slammed ticket prices, which are often several times more costly than equivalent matches in previous editions. FIFA later launched a $60 ticket tier to make the tournament more affordable for fans of qualified teams. Speaking earlier in December, Football Supporters Europe director Ronen Evan said the new pricing is a step in the right direction, but is not sufficient. Now with the $60 scheme, the cheapest tickets to follow your team to the final is going to be $480. It's expensive, at least in our opinion, but it's reasonable per international tournament standards. That's for the category four. Then the next option is category three. In category three, you're at $6,900. The gap is enormous for people that will essentially be sitting in the same section. Fans from the US have made the highest number of requests, followed by Germany and the United Kingdom, the FIFA president said. Infantino said the revenue generated goes back into the game all over the world. Without FIFA, there would be no football in 150 countries in the world. There is football because and thanks to these revenues that we generate with and from the World Cup, which we reinvest. During his speech, Infantino said he would give free VIP tickets to a former UFC fighter who asked for his regular tickets to be upgraded. For you, everything, you know.

Two helicopters collided above Hammonton, New Jersey, and one person has died, officials say. CBS News' Elaine Quijano reports.

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