New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's campaign to pressure FIFA into abandoning dynamic pricing for the 2026 World Cup has sparked a public response from soccer's governing body. Mamdani's "Game Over Greed" petition calls for price caps, discounted tickets for local residents, and a 15% allocation of tickets at reduced rates.
FIFA, in a statement, defended its dynamic pricing model, characterizing it as a standard practice for major sporting and entertainment events in the US, Canada, and Mexico. They highlighted that group-stage tickets would start at $60, emphasizing a competitive price point for a global event. The organization also affirmed its commitment to providing tickets for "specific fan categories" at a fixed price.
Mamdani voiced concerns about potential exorbitant resale prices on FIFA's official secondary market platform, particularly affecting tickets to matches at MetLife Stadium. He criticized FIFA for prioritizing profit over accessibility during a press conference. His petition, launched on his campaign website, reportedly garnered thousands of signatures within hours.
FIFA's spokesperson countered Mamdani's criticism, explaining that the official resale market offers a secure platform compliant with US law. They further highlighted their reinvestment strategy, stating that FIFA's revenue from ticket sales, projected to reach $3 billion, is predominantly reinvested into global football development across its 211 member associations. The organization claims that over 90% of its budgeted investments for 2023-2026 will be funneled back into the sport, emphasizing that this support is crucial for the operation of over half of its member associations. The pre-sale signup window for 2026 World Cup tickets, which includes eight matches at MetLife Stadium, opened on Wednesday, September 11th.
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Originally published at: https://nypost.com/2025/09/10/sports/fifa-responds-to-zohran-mamdanis-world-cup-ticket-price-demands/
