World Cup ticket prices have broken the $1,000 barrier for the first time. FIFA said Tuesday the top price for the 2018 final in Moscow will be $1,100, up from $990 for the 2014 final in Rio de Janeiro. Other tickets for the final will cost $710 and $455, with additional category 4 tickets — which are sold exclusively to Russian residents — costing 7,040 rubles (currently $110). For international fans, tickets for first-round games range from $105-210, except for the opener, which costs from $220-$550. The first-round range for the 2014 tournament was $90-$175, meaning the cost of the least expensive seat has risen 16 percent. Prices are $115-$245 for the round of 16, $175-$365 for the quarterfinals and the third-place match and $285-$750 for the semifinals. Russian residents get sharply discounted rates, with their cheapest first-round tickets selling for 1,280 rubles ($20), an increase on equivalent prices for 2014 but roughly in line with prices for South African fans in 2010. FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura says in a statement that "we wanted to make sure that we priced tickets fairly to make the events accessible to as many people as possible." World Cup ticket sales won't start until after the Confederations Cup in Russia next summer. FIFA appoints Slovenian state auditor to replace Scala FIFA has appointed the state auditor of Slovenia to replace Domenico Scala, who resigned in protest as chairman of the panel overseeing its billion-dollar annual spending. FIFA says Tomaz Vesel passed an integrity check to be picked as Audit and Compliance Committee chairman by President Gianni Infantino and leaders of six continental governing bodies. Vesel's tasks include leading a three-member panel to propose salaries and contracts for Infantino and FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura. A dispute over Infantino's $2 million pay package offer from the Scala-chaired panel was key to the breakdown of their working relations. Scala resigned in May after the annual FIFA Congress at what he saw as Infantino's influence over independent officials. FIFA's auditors, KPMG, also resigned last month after more than a decade's work. Vesel takes up a key position with FIFA during a period of turmoil in world soccer's ruling body. After Infantino was elected in February, Scala resigned following weeks of conflict behind the scenes and FIFA fired its long-time finance director, Markus Kattner, for alleged misconduct. In recent weeks, German-language newspapers have published a series of leaked transcripts and memos from FIFA that have targeted Infantino's integrity. A recording of a FIFA Council meeting in May included Infantino describing his "insulting" salary offer. His predecessor Sepp Blatter got a basic $3 million salary in 2015, though earned much more in previous years due to contracted bonuses. Infantino said Wednesday that Vesel joining FIFA could help rebuild confidence. "This is a vital role within the organization and Mr. Vesel's audit expertise and international experience will help reassure stakeholders and restore trust in FIFA," Infantino said in a FIFA statement. Vesel will help oversee FIFA's commercial contracts and allocation of hundreds of millions of dollars each year in project funding for 211 national member federations and the six continental confederations. FIFA also contributes several hundred million dollars annually toward the cost of organizing the World Cup.
