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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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Tinubu To Wife At 66: I’ll Choose Same Road That Led Me To You

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid an intimate tribute to his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.

 

He declared that if given another chance to begin life afresh, he would still choose the path that brought them together.

In a personal message marking the First Lady’s 66th birthday today, the President described his wife as his “truest friend and confidante,” recalling the difficult years, sacrifices, and private moments that have defined their journey together.

“If life returned me to the beginning, I would choose the same road that led me to you. Through every mile, my heart has always remained at home with you,” President Tinubu said.

The President, who addressed his wife affectionately as “Oluremi mi,” said she has stood beside him with patience, grace and “uncommon courage” through different seasons of their lives.

He recalled a Yoruba saying: “Ìyàwó rere ni adé oko ree”, meaning “a good wife is her husband’s crown,” stressing that the First Lady has given practical meaning to the expression in his life.

President Tinubu also drew from the biblical Book of Proverbs on the worth of a virtuous woman, saying his wife has remained a source of strength, counsel, and prayer, particularly during periods of uncertainty.

“You have stood by my side through every season. The burdens that were mine to bear often found their way onto your shoulders. The thoughts I could not put into words somehow found their way to you.

“In difficult times, when the future was uncertain, you stayed calm beside me and prayed with me. Through all these years, you have remained the one who truly understands me,” he said.

The President said the First Lady often knew when he needed advice even before he sought it, adding that there had been occasions when her presence alone provided the counsel he needed.

He described her honesty as one of the qualities he had treasured throughout their years together, saying she had never hesitated to tell him uncomfortable truths.

“I call you my truest friend and confidante because you speak the truth plainly, even on the days I would rather not hear it.

“After a demanding day, you wait until we are alone before telling me what I need to hear. I have always cherished you for that honesty,” he said.

The President also praised his wife for her devotion to their family, saying their children and grandchildren have grown under the influence of her prayers, faith and kindness.

According to him, the imprint of the First Lady’s devotion is evident in their home and in the values their children and grandchildren carry with them.

Turning to her public service and humanitarian activities, President Tinubu said Nigerians have come to know his wife for her compassion, generosity and steadfast faith.

He recalled her humanitarian interventions through the New Era Foundation during their years in Lagos and, more recently, through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), saying the programmes have reached young Nigerians, widows, senior citizens and women farmers across the country.

President Tinubu also lauded her advocacy for people affected by tuberculosis and other diseases, describing her as a compassionate advocate for the vulnerable.

“I know the prayers you offer for people whose names you may never know. I also know many whom you have helped without ever meeting them. For you, compassion has never recognised the boundaries of tribe, region or religion,” he said.

Reflecting on their years together, the President said their journey had taught him the true value of having a dependable partner.

“A long journey teaches a man the true value of a good partner. We have travelled a long road together. I think of the difficult decisions we talked through for hours and the sacrifices no one else saw. Laughter and prayer carried us through many of them,” he said.

Expressing gratitude for their life together, President Tinubu added: “I thank you for the life we have built and the love that has held it together.”

The President prayed for many more years of good health and happiness for the First Lady, wishing that the years ahead would bring her the same comfort and happiness she had given him and others.

“Happy 66th birthday, my darling Oluremi. I pray that God Almighty will grant you many more years in good health and joy.

“May the years ahead bring you the same comfort and happiness you have so freely given to me and many others,” President Tinubu said.

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Son Announces Actor, Olu Jacobs Death At 84

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Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.

 

Report says the actor’s son, Olusoji Jacobs, announced his death in a post on Instagram on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, saying the family was grateful for his life and asking the public to respect their privacy.

“It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought, that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and uncle. The Lion of Lufodo.

“We call on all bloggers and social media influencers to respect our families privacy at this time,” he said.

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‘My Husband Is Upset’:Real Warri Pikin Apologises Over Viral Video With Timaya

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Popular comedienne Anita Asuoha, popularly known as Warri Pikin, has apologised following backlash over a viral video featuring her and singer Timaya.

 

The controversy began over the weekend after a clip surfaced showing the comedienne dancing on stage with Timaya in a manner many described as inappropriate for a married woman.

In a video addressing the issue, Warri Pikin accepted full responsibility for her actions and expressed remorse.

She explained that she was backstage enjoying the performance when Timaya invited a woman on stage during his Ukwu song, and, out of excitement, she rushed out.

She said she initially hesitated when asked to jump on the singer but eventually gave in to avoid disrupting his performance.

The comedienne noted that the moment felt entertaining on stage but looked different online, adding that her husband is ‘upset’ about the incident.

She appealed for forgiveness from fans and critics, stressing that the act was out of character and pledging her continued commitment to her marriage.

She wrote, “Area, abeg make Una no vex for me. I take full responsibility, make Una forgive me. Na me do am to myself; I no know say if Timaya dey perform his ‘Ukwu’ song, e dey bring women come outside. I dey backstage dey vibe when I heard him say a woman should come outside, and you know I love anything vibe, hence why I rushed out o. Na me put myself for this one.

“That’s when he told me I would jump on his body, and I said I couldn’t do it. I was very reluctant, but he said I was the one who came outside, so I shouldn’t spoil his performance. It was very funny and entertaining on stage, but online it wasn’t funny. All my online in-laws, they say make I come for the marriage; where Una wan push me go? Ikechukwu now dey vex for me; where una wan put me go?

“I don plast am for the marriage say na till kingdom come. Make Una take it easy on me. Una no dey no person? It’s not in my character. There are times you find yourself in some awkward situation, and yesterday was one of them. I owe you guys this apology because I understand where you’re coming from. Not everything is hate speech. Some people are just genuinely concerned.”

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