FIFA's much-publicised climbdown on extortionate World Cup ticket prices has been branded a cynical public relations exercise, with the vast majority of fans still facing costs running into thousands of pounds.
A 'Bargain' Built on Smoke and Mirrors
After six days of intense criticism over pricing that could exceed £5,000 for a full tournament journey, football's global governing body announced a new, cheaper ticket bracket. The headline figure was a seemingly reasonable £45 for the cheapest seats at each match in Qatar. FIFA President Gianni Infantino's organisation presented this as evidence it was listening to the supporters of the 'people's game'.
However, the fine print reveals a starkly different story. These budget tickets will constitute only 10% of the tiny allocation given to each national football association for a given fixture. For a match involving England or Scotland, this translates to roughly 400 tickets per group game at the £45 price point.
The Stark Mathematics of the FIFA Swindle
In practical terms, this means that in a stadium fixture between two nations, a mere 1.6% of combined supporters from both teams will have gained entry at the advertised bargain rate. The overwhelming remainder will have paid significantly higher prices, with many still facing the previously announced exorbitant costs.
Critics have lambasted the move as a pure optical illusion—a method of being able to claim prices 'start from £45' rather than being defined by the eye-watering figures that reveal the true commercial scale of the operation. The comparison has been drawn to a carjacker returning to the crime scene to leave a few coins for a taxi.
Highwaymen in Suits and a Complicit Federation
The controversy underscores long-standing accusations that football's grandest stage is controlled by "charlatans, vandals and highwaymen in suits." The financial motivation is clear: FIFA forecasts revenues of around £6.7 billion from its 2026 cycle, with one-third generated by ticketing and hospitality, largely from the World Cup. It expects a surplus of £3.85 billion.
While the Football Association has private concerns about the large slice being taken from fans, its complicity is noted. Along with 209 of the 211 national delegates, it voted to re-elect Gianni Infantino for another term in 2023. Norway stood as the sole objector, leaving the majority to be accused of siding with the modern-day highwayman. This, as the saying goes, is what they got.
