FIFA raises ticket prices for 2018 World Cup

MOSCOW (AP) 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.