MEXICO CITY (AP) – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday that FIFA should reflect on the high prices of match tickets. 2026 world cup Many say the price is unaffordable for the majority of Mexicans.
Sheinbaum told journalists that soccer should be more than just a business.
“Soccer has to be something different,” she said. “All of this should prompt reflection, even within FIFA.”
There was no immediate public response from FIFA. The association’s president, Gianni Infantino, defended the high ticket prices last week, saying they are compatible with the North American market.
Tickets for games in three host countries, including Mexico, went on sale earlier this year, ranging from $140 to $8,680. Some prices have gone down, while others have gone up. Ticket price for the finals is $32,970. Resale price will be higher. In April, four tickets to the final were listed on FIFA’s own resale platform for about $2.3 million each.
Mexico’s president acknowledged it was “okay” for the World Cup to be run as a business, but said soccer should be “a place that brings people together like any other sport”.
The Sheinbaum administration has been exposed to criticism from various standpoints. Social movements protest in Mexico Citythe government says: prioritize competitions Beyond immediate social needs.
On the other hand, in some stadiums such as Guadalajara, There was clearly an empty seat. last week’s fifa blamed In Guadalajara, there were empty seats for fans who were watching from the concourse.
Since the prices for 104 World Cup matches were announced, Mexicothe United States, and Canada, Mr. Sheinbaum spoke out and promoted the idea of a government-backed “Social World Cup.”
The purpose of the program is mexico city street festival And in other cities around the country, Mexicans and foreign tourists can watch the games for free on giant screens.
Local authorities say 500,000 people attended 18 street festivals held across Mexico City on June 11 to watch the opening match. Mexico defeats South Africa.
Sheinbaum also broke with the long-standing World Cup tradition of the host nation’s president attending the opening match. Instead, she gave the ticket to a 21-year-old Indigenous female soccer player who could not afford to buy one.
The federal government has also decided that civil servants will give away about 500 tickets to people participating in “Social World Cup” activities, and 88 tickets will be distributed through schools.
