FIFA is promoting its 2025 Club World Cup with a unique offer that includes guaranteed access to the 2026 men’s World Cup in the U.S. However, the fine print reveals some concerning details that may make the offers seem deceptive.
Buyers of the standard “pack” of tickets to Club World Cup matches will have the option to purchase a ticket to a 2026 World Cup match in the U.S., but FIFA has the discretion to determine which match and what type of ticket the fan will receive.
The “Super Ticket Pack” offers one ticket to each of the 20 Club World Cup matches and a guaranteed option to buy a ticket to the 2026 World Cup final. However, fans must attend all 20 matches on different days in various cities, which could be costly and time-consuming.
Ticket prices for the 2025 Club World Cup are already high, and details for the 2026 World Cup tickets have not been announced. Concerns have been raised about the pricing and accessibility of tickets for these tournaments, with fears that passionate fans may be priced out of enjoying the sport.
With just two months until kickoff, ticket sales for the Club World Cup remain sluggish, indicating that FIFA may be struggling to attract fans to the event. The highly anticipated matchup between Inter Miami and Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium in South Florida is quickly approaching. Despite being the opener, there are still entire rows of seats available, including many in the lower-level corner sections priced at $557 before tax.
In an effort to boost ticket sales, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been tirelessly promoting the tournament, making appearances in various cities alongside soccer dignitaries and celebrities. Last month, he even brought the Club World Cup trophy to the Oval Office, courtesy of his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Infantino has been actively hyping up the tournament, positioning it as the next big thing in soccer. He has made bold claims about the tournament’s potential visitors and economic impact, even suggesting that it was a joint creation between himself and Trump (which has been debunked). His Instagram account is flooded with exaggerated posts about the Club World Cup, while FIFA and its partners have been marketing it as the most prestigious club soccer tournament in history.
Despite the excitement from some fans worldwide, skepticism remains among many in Europe and the U.S. Major TV networks reportedly offered less money than Infantino had hoped for, leading to a broadcast deal with DAZN. The tournament is set to pay out $1 billion in appearance fees and prize money to the participating clubs, but the big question remains: will fans tune in and buy tickets to witness the action unfold? Only time will tell.