With only two months until the 2026 World Cup kicks off in the US, Mexico, and Canada, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has hit back at critics regarding astronomical ticket prices, labeling the tournament as a vital “reinvestment tool” for global football.

Speaking at the Semafor Annual Meeting on the World Economy, Infantino addressed the growing backlash from fans who find themselves priced out of the historic 48-team event.

Infantino explained that the World Cup is the sole engine for FIFA’s financial survival.

“The main and so far the only revenue-generating event for FIFA is the World Cup. We generate money in one month… in the 47 months leading up to the next World Cup, we spend that money,” Infantino stated.

He emphasized that because FIFA is a non-profit organization, the billions generated are distributed among 211 member countries. He argued that three-quarters of the world’s football associations would be unable to organize the sport without these specific subsidies.

Addressing the specific high costs in the United States, Infantino compared the World Cup to major American cultural events. He noted that the U.S. is a “very special market” where fans are already accustomed to high prices for concerts and NFL games.

“No one complains about ticket prices when you go to a concert or an NFL game,” he claimed, expressing confidence that the local public is prepared to pay a premium for the historic triple-hosted tournament.