FIFA news: $2m ticket makes mockery of World Cup

World Cup 2026 Weekly news. We will bring you the latest from around the world as we countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

FIFA’s official resale marketplace currently lists four tickets for the World Cup final at prices just below $2.3 million each.

The tickets, priced at $2,299,998.85 ($4mAUD) each for the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium, are located in the lower deck behind one of the goals. They are in Block 124, Row 45, Seats 33 through 36.

While FIFA operates the Resale/Exchange Marketplace, it does not set the resale prices. The organization does, however, collect fees totalling 30% per transaction, charging a 15% fee to both the buyer and the seller.

Other high-priced listings on the platform include a lower-deck aisle seat in Block 146, Row 32, Seat 33 for $207,000, and a Category 2 seat in the uppermost third deck, Block 310, Row 26, Seat 23, which was listed at $138,000.

The least expensive tickets for the final were listed at $10,923.85 each. These seats are located high in the upper deck, four rows from the top behind a goal, in Block 323, Row 23, Seats 13 to 16.

"Offensive and shameful": Italy slam Trump aid

Italy has slammed the idea of replacing Iran in the World Cup, saying it is offensive.

This week, a representative of Donald Trump requested that FIFA remove Iran from the upcoming tournament, urging FIFA president Gianni Infantino to replace the war-stricken nation with the European side.

Amid ongoing tensions between Iran and the US, Envoy to Trump Paolo Zampolli suggested that the nation should not compete, using Italy’s football pedigree as reasoning behind his ideal transaction.

Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive tournament, losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 (4-1 on penalties) within their UEFA qualification final.

Asked for his thoughts on the request, Luciano Buonfiglio, the president of the Italian Olympic Committee, which also oversees all sports in Italy said: "I would feel offended. You need to deserve to go to the World Cup."

Italy's Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said the idea was "shameful".

Iran's embassy in Rome was equally critical of the suggestion: "Football belongs to the people, not to politicians.

"Italy earned its soccer prowess on the field, not thanks to political manoeuvrers. The attempt to exclude Iran from the World Cup shows only the 'moral bankruptcy' of the United States, which fears even the presence of 11 young Iranians on the field of play."

"Arrogant” chant cursing drought-stricken Poms

The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks 60 years since England’s last triumph, and Dutch legend Ruud Gullit believes their ongoing curse transcends the pitch.

In fact, one of England’s great traditions on an international stage could be their own worst enemy.

30 years after Bobby Moore famously lifted the 1966 World Cup at Wembley Stadium, comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner teamed up with band The Lightning Seeds to write ‘Three Lions’, a song about England's constant misfortunes at international level, made famous by its iconic chorus: “Football’s Coming Home”.

30 years on from that, the chorus has developed into an iconic feature of England’s international presence.

However, Gullit argues that the “arrogant” chant does the English no favours.

“It’s not that I’m getting bored of 'It’s Coming Home'. It’s England’s nemesis,” Gullit told Sun Sport.

“The moment they start to sing that and everything that’s going wrong. The thing is that England sees it as a gimmick.

“But the rest of the world sees it as arrogance. That’s the difference.

“England don’t own football. They invented it but a lot of countries made it better.”

Arrogance aside, Gullit believes that while England enters the tournament with one of the strongest sides on paper, the tactical disconnect between English club football and international football leave them at a disadvantage.

“I think they have a good squad, that is for sure, but they play differently away than when they play in England,” he said.

“That’s also the difference. I think that if you see Spain, anywhere they play, they always play the same thing. Always.

“That’s the difference that you see with England. I’m a supporter of England; I love to watch them – but I love Holland more.”

Under cup specialist Thomas Tuchel, England will back themselves to compete deep into the World Cup, commencing on June 12th (AEST).

World Cup 2026 Weekly news. We will bring you the latest from around the world as we countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

A Superbowl half-time show at the FIFA World Cup? Amazing right?

Chris Martin of Coldplay is reportedly putting together the plans for a 25-minute extravaganza but is not confirmed to be headlining.

So why the criticism? FIFA can't catch a break at the moment what with the soaring ticket prices, Middle East war casting doubt over some nations participating and the visa chaos impacting fans from multiple countries.

It seems the notion of a 25-minute half-time break will not be sitting well with the two nations involved in the opening fixture; Mexico and South Africa square off on June 12 in New Jersey.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed several artists will feature in what he called the "the largest show in the world".

Watch and wait to see who takes the gig.

Australia's plans unveiled

Things are getting a little clearer for Socceroos fans as we count down to the World Cup which gets started 50 days from this Wednesday (April 22).

Football Australia has confirmed the Socceroos will play a friendly against Switzerland in the final warm-up before the tournament gets started in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Tony Popovic's final squad will take on the world number 19 Swiss in San Diego on June 6 (local time) just eight days before their opening Group G clash against Turkey.

Australia will base themselves in California ahead of their first group game which is scheduled to be played in Vancouver.

They will also play a warm-up match against Mexico late in May.

Fans outraged by price hikes

It's a sport for everyone right? WRONG!

Heading to the World Cup? You might need to take out an extra loan. The USA public transport system is taking the absolute p--- with its plans for the tournament.

If you've managed to remortgage half your life in order to secure a ticket for a game, now start thinking about how you might be getting to the stadium.

This week it's been reported that fans trying to get to MetLife stadium in New Jersey will be charged $US210 for a round trip - a journey that usually costs $US18.

The home of the new York Giants will play host to eight World Cup matches including the final on July 19 (local time).

It's a 15-minute, 14km ride from Penn Station.

If you want to drive to the stadium you can - but parking will cos you $US313.

NJ Transit president and chief executive Kris Kolluri denies accusations of gouging.

"This isn't price gouging," he said. "We're literally trying to recoup our costs."

And this is not just in New York. Anyone in Boston planning on attending matches at Gillette Stadium will have to fork out $US132 for a bus round trip. The train for the same ride is no cheaper costing $US111 instead of the usual $US28.