Fifa’s ticket and hospitality revenue from the 2026 World Cup held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico reportedly reached approximately $5 billion, marking a five-fold increase compared to the $929 million generated during the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The 2026 event featured 104 matches, 40 more than the previous 64, but sources familiar with the finances say the significant rise in earnings was largely driven by Fifa’s dynamic pricing strategy and its 30 percent commission on ticket resales through its official platform.

Fifa’s resale platform allowed tickets to be sold at prices significantly higher than the original purchase price, capitalizing on demand while limiting the profits available to secondary market dealers, touts, and other agencies. This approach was reportedly influenced by U.S. laws permitting the secondary sale of tickets for sporting events, prompting Fifa to monetize this market directly.

A Fifa spokesperson declined to confirm the $5 billion figure but noted that the revenue will be reinvested to support the sport globally. According to the spokesperson, more than 6.8 million tickets were sold at the tournament, with over 100,000 sold at entry-level prices starting at $60, including more than 1,000 tickets for the final match. They emphasized that these funds will contribute to "unprecedented resources" for Fifa’s 211 member associations, including a proposed initiative known as the Fifa Surplus Solidarity Programme. This program aims to more than double planned funding for the 2027-2030 period to $6.35 billion. Fifa stated that detailed financial disclosures will appear in its next annual report following formal audits.

However, the ticket pricing strategy has faced criticism from fan organizations. The Football Supporters’ Association in England described the prices as "scandalous," while Football Supporters Europe called them "extortionate" and a "monumental" issue for fans. These groups argued that the high costs of tickets and hospitality packages made attending matches less accessible for average supporters, contributing to broader concerns about affordability and fan experience.

Overall World Cup revenues, including sponsorship and broadcast rights, reportedly reached $15 billion for the 2026 tournament, surpassing Fifa’s initial budget estimates of $3.3 billion in ticket revenue. The financial outcome highlights the growing commercial scale of the World Cup, even as debates continue over the balance between revenue generation and fan accessibility.