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FIFA has announced the introduction of a lower-priced ticket category for the 2026 World Cup following mounting criticism over the cost of attending matches at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In a statement released on Tuesday, December 16, football’s world governing body confirmed it had created a new “Supporter Entry Tier”, with tickets priced at $60 (£51) and available for all 104 matches, including the final.
FIFA said the initiative was aimed at easing the financial burden on fans travelling to follow their national teams throughout the expanded tournament.
According to the organisation, the $60 tickets will be reserved exclusively for supporters of teams that have qualified for the World Cup and will account for 10 per cent of the ticket allocation given to each national football federation.
The announcement comes after strong criticism from Football Supporters Europe (FSE), which last week described ticket prices for the 2026 tournament as “astronomical” and “extortionate.”
The fan group said the cost of attending matches was almost five times higher than at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
FSE claimed that a supporter following their team from the group stage through to the final would need to spend at least $6,900 on tickets alone.
FSE also pointed out that FIFA’s original bid documentation in 2018 included a commitment to tickets starting at just $21, a promise supporters say has not been honoured.
Responding to the backlash, FIFA said national federations would be expected to ensure the newly introduced tickets are allocated to “loyal fans who are closely connected to their national teams.”
The organisation also confirmed that supporters who purchase tickets for knockout-stage matches but whose teams are eliminated earlier will be refunded without being charged an administrative fee.
FIFA said the changes were being made amid unprecedented demand, revealing that around 20 million ticket requests have already been submitted.
The first ballot for tickets across all pricing categories is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, January 13.
