FIFA is facing pushback from New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani over its plans for dynamic pricing at the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Mamdani kicked off a petition called “Game Over Greed,” urging FIFA to rethink its pricing strategy. He argues that the World Cup should be more accessible to fans, particularly local residents.
Mamdani worries that ticket prices for events, especially at MetLife Stadium, will soar on FIFA’s resale platform. In a recent press conference, he accused FIFA of prioritizing profit over ensuring that the community enjoys the game. His petition has gained popularity quickly, gathering thousands of signatures shortly after launching.
FIFA defended its pricing model, calling it a standard practice in major sporting events. They claim to be reserving tickets at fixed prices for specific fan categories and offer group stage tickets starting at $60. This pricing, they argue, is fair for a major global event.
As of this week, fans can sign up for pre-sales for the World Cup tickets, with prices ranging from $60 to an eye-watering $6,730 for the final match. FAA estimates that ticket sales could generate up to $3 billion, highlighting the financial stakes involved.
Interestingly, FIFA points out that as a not-for-profit, it reinvests most of its revenue back into global football development. According to FIFA, over 90% of its projected budget for 2023-2026 will enhance the sport worldwide, especially for youth and women’s programs. This means that the revenue from the World Cup contributes to the upkeep of many smaller football associations, which might struggle without FIFA’s support.
In recent days, social media reactions have shown a mix of support for Mamdani’s campaign and skepticism about FIFA’s practices. While some believe that FIFA’s dynamic pricing is unjust, others feel it’s a reflection of market demand. The debate continues as fans gear up for what promises to be an exciting, but contentious, World Cup.
For deeper insights into FIFA’s ticketing practices, you can explore expert analyses on this issue here.
Source link
Soccer,Sports,Metro,fifa,metlife stadium,NYC Mayoral Election 2025,world cup,Zohran Mamdani
