FIFA raked in astonishing $5 billion from extortionate World Cup ticket prices in USA

FIFA generated billions of dollars from hospitality and ticket sales throughout the 2026 World Cup hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.  

Martyn Ziegler of The Times reported that the global football governing body accumulated $5 billion (£3.8 billion) strictly from this revenue stream over the summer.

This figure dramatically exceeded FIFA's original tournament estimate of $3.3 billion (£2.47 billion) and heavily contributed to the World Cup's total overall revenues of $15 billion (£11.25 billion).  

This financial milestone has attracted heavy criticism, with fan organizations labeling FIFA's pricing strategies as 'extortionate' and 'scandalous'.

The organization Football Supporters Europe deemed the high costs a 'monumental betrayal' directed at the sport's global fanbase, many of whom were already burdened by heavy travel and accommodation expenses. Furthermore, the $5 billion revenue marker is five times larger than the amount collected during the previous tournament in Qatar, which brought in $929 million (£696.8 million).  

While the expansion of the tournament featuring 40 more matches in 2026 compared to 2022 accounted for part of the financial increase, FIFA's inflated ticket costs and implementation of dynamic pricing played a massive role.

Additionally, FIFA utilized its own resale platform to take a 30 percent cut from any tickets sold on the secondary market.  
While FIFA did not officially confirm the $5 billion figure to The Times, a spokesperson emphasized that the generated revenues would be funneled back into the sport to provide extra resources for the 211 member associations.

The spokesperson added that out of 6.81 million total tickets, more than 100,000 tickets across the tournament were made available at $60, including over 1,000 for the final.

Furthermore, under the proposed FIFA Surplus Solidarity Programme announced following the FIFA Council meeting in Zurich, a portion of reserves will be used to more than double planned funding to $6.35 billion for the 2027–2030 period. FIFA stated that official revenues for the 2026 World Cup will be formally disclosed in its upcoming annual report following the completion of standard audit processes.

The Vatican is celebrating the history of the popemobile with a new exhibition titled “A Century of the Popemobile” at the Vatican Museums, tracing nearly 100 years of papal transportation from Pope Pius XI's first automobile in 1930 to modern models.

Opening to the public, the exhibition features eight Mercedes-Benz vehicles utilized by popes across the decades. In connection with the launch, Pope Leo XIV met with top Mercedes-Benz executives, expressing gratitude for their long-standing partnership with the Holy See and noting how automotive advancements have evolved alongside papal travel.

Pope Leo XIV remarked that the popemobile has transformed from a basic means of transportation into an instrument of encounter, allowing the pontiff to connect closely with the faithful during pastoral visits and public celebrations while aiding the church's mission.

The oldest car in the exhibition is the 1930 Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 460, presented to Pope Pius XI on May 23, 1930, which featured a luxurious silk brocade armchair alongside fine wood and metal finishes.

According to Sandro Barbagallo, curator of the Historical Collections Department at the Vatican Museums, the vehicle was custom-built and designed specifically for papal use, shifting from a serial model to a unique creation.

Later versions included the 1960 300 d Landaulet presented to Pope John XXIII, which featured removable rear side windows allowing the future saint to easily reach out to the people he met along the way, and the 1980 230 G developed for St. John Paul II’s visit to Germany, which introduced a tall, transparent rear dome designed to provide safety while ensuring the millions of gathered faithful had a clear view.

Reflecting on recent sustainable initiatives, Pope Leo XIV also recalled the electric popemobile previously presented to Pope Francis, encouraging the automotive executives to continue aligning technological innovation with human dignity, care for creation, and the common good.