Overview
- FIFA’s latest random selection draw opens Dec. 11 and runs through Jan. 13, with applicants choosing specific matches via a FIFA ID and successful requests automatically charged in February; purchases are capped at four tickets per match and 40 for the tournament.
- An analysis by The Athletic found average hotel rates around opening matches jumped to about $1,013 from $293 three weeks earlier, including a Mexico City hotel listed at $3,882 for the opener versus South Africa, with U.S. spikes led by Houston (+457%) and notable increases in Kansas City (+364%), Atlanta (+344%) and the San Francisco Bay Area (+342%).
- FIFA’s official resale platform is set to reopen Dec. 15, with sellers able to set prices in the U.S. and Canada and FIFA taking a 15% fee from both buyer and seller; secondary listings show some of the highest get‑in prices for Mexico City and matches involving host nations.
- Reports say U.S. host cities face a collective budget gap estimated at about $250 million, with officials citing FIFA sponsorship exclusivity as limiting local revenue options and suggesting remaining costs may fall to federal, state and local governments.
- FIFA has confirmed mandatory three‑minute hydration breaks at the 22‑minute mark of each half for every match, and human‑rights group FairSquare has filed a complaint alleging Gianni Infantino breached political neutrality by awarding a ‘FIFA Peace Prize’ to President Donald Trump.