Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has urged FIFA to reconsider the pricing of tickets for the 2026 World Cup, citing concerns that the high costs place attendance out of reach for many Mexicans. Speaking on Monday, Sheinbaum criticized the ticket prices as excessive, despite acknowledging that the tournament is a business venture.

Tickets for the World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, went on sale earlier this year with prices ranging from $140 to $8,680. The most expensive tickets—for the final match—are priced at $32,970. Resale prices have surged even higher; FIFA’s own resale platform listed four tickets for the final at roughly $2.3 million each in April.

FIFA has not issued an immediate response to Sheinbaum’s comments. Last week, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the ticket pricing, arguing that they reflect market conditions in North America.

While expressing understanding that the tournament operates as a commercial enterprise, Sheinbaum emphasized that soccer should remain a unifying space open to a broad audience. Her government has faced criticism from social movements in Mexico City, which contend that the World Cup is being prioritized at the expense of urgent social issues.

Reports of empty seats in some stadiums, including in Guadalajara, have added to the controversy. FIFA attributed the vacancies to fans choosing to watch games from the stadium concourses rather than their assigned seats.

In response to concerns about accessibility, the Mexican government has launched a “Social World Cup” initiative. The program aims to host street festivals in Mexico City and other major cities, providing free public screenings of matches on large screens for Mexican residents and visiting tourists alike.

The 2026 World Cup will feature 104 matches across the three host countries, marking the first tournament held on multiple continents. As ticket sales continue, the debate over affordability and access remains a contentious issue in the lead-up to the event.