The Football Association has taken decisive action to ensure England supporters can access affordable tickets for the 2026 World Cup. The FA is withholding the cheapest band of tickets for England matches until the day before each game, preventing them from being resold at inflated prices on secondary markets.
World Cup Ticket Controversy
FIFA has faced heavy criticism over its ticketing approach for the tournament, which is being held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Many fans have paid exorbitant sums to attend matches. In response, the FA has reserved hundreds of 'entry tier' tickets priced at $60 (£45) for England supporters.
According to The Times, these tickets will only be released the day before fixtures to avoid them ending up on resale sites. FIFA has defended its pricing, citing U.S. legislation that allows resale at any price, with the organization taking a 30% cut from official resales.
FIFA President Defends Pricing
Gianni Infantino highlighted unprecedented demand for tickets and defended the pricing strategy. He stated that lower-priced tickets would inevitably be resold at much higher prices on secondary markets, with profits going to resellers rather than football. Infantino also compared World Cup ticket prices to other major U.S. sports events, such as the NBA Finals.
England's campaign begins Wednesday against Croatia, with thousands of supporters expected to attend. The FA's proactive measure ensures that genuine fans can secure affordable tickets, bypassing scalpers and secondary market exploitation.
