La Joins Nyc In Mayoral Revolt Against Fifa’s Ticket Prices

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Thursday criticized FIFA’s World Cup ticket prices as too expensive, contrasting them with prices for the 2028 Olympics, which she says will have affordable options.

Bass joined a growing chorus of mayors — including New York’s Zohran Mamdani — criticizing the cost of attending the five-week tournament that will take place across the United States, Mexico and Canada this summer.

“Another thing about the Olympics is that the tickets are going to be a range [of prices], and they will be affordable,” she said in a public conversation with Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt at the U.S. Conference of Mayors winter meeting in Washington, D.C.

“That's the thing that is unfortunate about FIFA,” Bass said of soccer’s global governing body, “Because even the nosebleed tickets are hundreds of dollars.”

Her comments came just moments before FIFA President Gianni Infantino took the same stage to speak to mayors about the World Cup, whose matches will be held in 11 American cities. Eight matches, including one quarterfinal, will be held in Los Angeles.

Leaders around the world have criticized the 2026 World Cup’s ticket prices, which start at $120 for general sale tickets. There are only a small number of supporter tickets on offer for $60, and there are no discounted tickets for residents of the host countries. Prices on the secondary market have shot up: At the time of publication, the least expensive seat available on the resale site StubHub for a U.S.-Paraguay match at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium cost $1,422.

Mamdani, whose city will host the final match at MetLife Stadium in northern New Jersey, called on FIFA last September to set aside discounted tickets for local residents and to cap prices on its reselling platform.

Despite the high cost, more than 500 million ticket requests have been made for tickets in FIFA’s World Cup ticket lottery. The organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Bass’ remarks.