Overview
- FIFA’s third sales phase features sharply higher prices, with U.S. opener tickets listed up to $2,735 and the final ranging from about $4,185 to $8,680, far above bid-era estimates.
- Demand remains robust as FIFA reports 6.4 million ticket requests, with Germany third at 138,246 applications, and travel platform data show post-draw searches to host cities surging.
- German Bundestag Vice President Omid Nouripour condemned FIFA’s neutrality over the Washington draw ceremony honoring President Donald Trump and labeled ticket pricing “completely insane.”
- Gianni Infantino defended close ties to host-country leaders as necessary for event delivery, while Iran and Egypt objected to a June 26 Seattle “Pride” fixture and lodged formal complaints.
- A U.S. proposal would require many visa‑waiver travelers to disclose years of phone numbers, emails and social‑media accounts within 60 days, as fan groups question unclear details of the touted FIFA Pass and note existing U.S. entry bans for Iranian and Haitian nationals.