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FIFA Prez Defends High World Cup Ticket Prices

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Tuesday defended World Cup ticket prices, insisting that football’s global governing body was obliged to take advantage of US laws that allow tickets to be resold for thousands of dollars above face value.

 

FIFA has faced searing criticism over the cost of World Cup tickets, with fan organization Football Supporters Europe (FSE) branding the pricing structure “extortionate” and a “monumental betrayal”.

FSE filed a lawsuit with the European Commission in March targeting FIFA over “excessive ticket prices” for the tournament.

FIFA’s own World Cup resale website, FIFA Marketplace, last week advertised four tickets to the July 19 final in New York at a cost of more than $2 million each.

Speaking at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, Infantino said the eye-watering prices reflected demand to watch the World Cup.

“If some people put on the resale market, some tickets for the final at $2 million, number one it doesn’t mean that the tickets cost $2 million,” Infantino said.

“And number two it doesn’t mean that somebody will buy these tickets,” Infantino said. “And if somebody buys a ticket for the final for $2 million I will personally bring him a hot dog and a Coke to make sure that he has a great experience.”

Fan groups have contrasted the difference in price of tickets for this summer with the Qatar World Cup in 2022.

The most expensive ticket for the final in 2022 was around $1,600 at face value, while in 2026 the most expensive ticket for the final is about $11,000 at its original price.

Infantino was adamant that the steep increase in face-value prices were justified.

“We have to look at the market — we are in the market in which entertainment is the most developed in the world. So we have to apply market rates,” Infantino said.

“In the US it is permitted to resell tickets as well. So if you were to sell tickets at the price which is too low, these tickets will be resold at a much higher price.

“And as a matter of fact, even though some people are saying that the ticket prices we have are high, they still end up on the resale market at an even higher price, more than double of our price.”

Infantino said that FIFA received in excess of 500 million ticket requests for 2026, compared with fewer than 50 million combined for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

The FIFA leader added that 25 percent of tickets for the group phase were priced at under $300.

“You cannot go to watch in the US a college game, not even speaking about a top professional game of a certain level, for less than $300,” Infantino said. “And this is the World Cup.”

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Miliki FM Marks 4th Anniversary With Callers Award

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Lagos based grassroots radio station, Miliki 101.3 FM has given recognition and cash awards to the best three callers on its programmes, as the station marks it’s 4th year anniversary.

 

The recipients of The Best Caller Award are Mrs Oluwafunmilola Anike Salami who came first with Oluwafunmilayo Oba and Oluwafunmilayo Onafuwa Julius coming second and third respectively.

Thanking guests at the 4th anniversary reception and award presentation program held on Tuesday, at the Ojodu Abiodun, Lagos office of Miliki FM, Chief Henry Ajomale, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the station said listeners and callers around the globe have kept the Miliki dream alive since the past four years.

The Chairman who was in company with his wife, Adetoun and son, Hon. Ladi Ajomale, praised the members of staff for their dedication and transparent efforts which he posited, has ensured the station continue to maintain its King Of The Air wave status ( Oba Ori Afefe)

Also speaking at the grand event,President of Miliki Radio Fans Club, Mr Sanni Adegbenga Taofik thanked Chief Ajomale for the initiative of the broadcast station to appreciate it’s listeners with the annual award, he said has become a tradition since the station had it’s first anniversary.

Taofik said “four years ago, Miliki Radio came on air with a promise to entertain, inform and connect with the people, especially at the grassroots and to preserve the Yoruba heritage by promoting its culture. Today, that promise has become a Movement”

He said as Fans, “we can boldly say that Miliki Radio is not just a station on the dial. It is a family.

“Your programs, your music, your news and your community engagement have made Miliki Radio 101.3fm not only the heartbeat of Lagos and Ogun States being your domiciled environment, but the world at large as I can testify many listen to Miliki via the internet”

Otunba Jide Oni, the Chairman, Isolo LCDA, Otunba Adebayo Olasoju and the Chairman, Ejigbo LCDA Hon. Monsuru Oloyede were some of the other dignitaries who graced the colourful event.

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PICTURES: Miliki FM Marks 4th Anniversary With Callers Award

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Lagos based grassroots radio station, Miliki 101.3 FM has given recognition and cash awards to the best three callers on its programmes, as the station marks it’s 4th year anniversary.

 

The recipients of The Best Caller Award are Mrs Oluwafunmilola Anike Salami who came first with Oluwafunmilayo Oba and Oluwafunmilayo Onafuwa Julius coming second and third respectively.

Thanking guests at the 4th anniversary reception and award presentation program held on Tuesday, at the Ojodu Abiodun, Lagos office of Miliki FM, Chief Henry Ajomale, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the station said listeners and callers around the globe have kept the Miliki dream alive since the past four years.

 

The Chairman who was in company with his wife, Adetoun and son, Hon. Ladi Ajomale, praised the members of staff for their dedication and transparent efforts which he posited, has ensured the station continue to maintain its King Of The Air wave status ( Oba Ori Afefe)

Also speaking at the grand event,President of Miliki Radio Fans Club, Mr Sanni Adegbenga Taofik thanked Chief Ajomale for the initiative of the broadcast station to appreciate it’s listeners with the annual award, he said has become a tradition since the station had it’s first anniversary.

Taofik said “four years ago, Miliki Radio came on air with a promise to entertain, inform and connect with the people, especially at the grassroots and to preserve the Yoruba heritage by promoting its culture. Today, that promise has become a Movement”

He said as Fans, “we can boldly say that Miliki Radio is not just a station on the dial. It is a family.

 

“Your programs, your music, your news and your community engagement have made Miliki Radio 101.3fm not only the heartbeat of Lagos and Ogun States being your domiciled environment, but the world at large as I can testify many listen to Miliki via the internet”

 

Otunba Jide Oni, the Chairman, Isolo LCDA, Otunba Adebayo Olasoju and the Chairman, Ejigbo LCDA Hon. Monsuru Oloyede were some of the other dignitaries who graced the colourful event.

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Tears As Ogogo Is Laid To Rest

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Tears and grief enveloped Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday as veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, was laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites.

 

Family members, friends, sympathisers, fans and colleagues of the late actor gathered in his home town to pay their final respects as the burial rites were conducted.

Among those seen at the residence of the deceased were his close associates and colleagues, including Yinka Quadri, Prince Jide Kosoko and Ireti Osayemi.

An Islamic cleric also addressed those gathered at the residence, delivering a message as the burial rites progressed.

The body of the actor, wrapped in white clothing, was carried in accordance with Islamic burial rites.

Hassan died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, after a battle with cancer. His daughter, Kira, had announced his death during an Instagram Live session, while his colleague, Saidi Balogun, also confirmed the development in a social media post.

The death of the veteran actor has continued to generate reactions across the Nigerian film industry, with colleagues, fans and admirers mourning his passing.

Hassan was a prominent figure in the Yoruba-language film industry and featured in numerous Nigerian movies during his career.

As he was laid to rest in Ilaro, mourners gathered to bid farewell to the actor whose death has left family, friends, colleagues and fans grieving.

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