FIFA has announced a new, “more affordable” ticket category priced at $60 for all 104 matches at the 2026 World Cup. This change comes after widespread criticism of the tournament’s original pricing structure. The governing body said the tickets will be reserved for a limited number of “loyal fans” from countries that have qualified for the competition.
A FIFA official close to the discussions said, “We have listened to feedback, and this new category is the right thing to do,” adding that the decision was unanimous. The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) had described the cost of following a team to every match as “scandalous”. The FSA noted that it would have exceeded £5,000 for an England fan to attend all the way to the final.
Who Can Access the Tickets
The $60 ticket falls under the ‘supporter entry tier’, the lowest-priced category, and will account for 10% of each football association’s allocation. FIFA explained, “The entry-tier tickets will be allocated specifically to supporters of qualified teams, with the selection and distribution process managed individually by the participating member associations.”
Previously, the cheapest tickets through national associations for group-stage games ranged from $220 to $265. Meanwhile, knockout-stage matches, including the final, started at $4,185. Even in the general lottery open to all fans, the lowest tickets were $140, making the new tier far more affordable.
Mixed Fan Reactions
Tom Greatrex, chair of the FSA, criticised the move as a “hollow gesture”. Football Supporters Europe welcomed the recognition of fans’ concerns but argued the changes “do not go far enough to reconcile.”
FIFA said 50% of each association’s allocation will fall within the most affordable range, including both the supporter value tier (40%) and the supporter entry tier (10%). The remainder would be split between standard and premier tiers. Meetings in Doha over the past week helped shape the revision, with participating associations tasked with ensuring tickets go to fans “closely connected to their national teams.”
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