FIFA has begun a partial retreat over the controversial pricing of tickets for the 2026 World Cup, following intense criticism and accusations of betraying loyal supporters. The global football body announced that 10 percent of all ticket allocations for qualified nations will now be fixed at just $60 per match, a new 'Supporter Entry Tier'.
The move, however, has been met with scepticism. It was made without consulting fan groups, who were taken by surprise and argue the proportion of affordable tickets remains far too low to make a meaningful difference for travelling supporters.
A Divisive Solution for Loyal Fans
The core of the issue lies in how these limited cheaper tickets will be distributed among a team's most dedicated followers. For example, England has 610 supporters with 'top caps' – a status earned by attending a high number of games – who warrant priority treatment.
Yet, the number of $60 tickets available for any single match will likely not cover all such fans. This creates a stark disparity: one supporter could pay $480 if England reaches the final, while another with an identical loyalty status might face a bill of around $7,000 for the same tournament journey.
Critically, this new tier represents a tiny fraction of overall availability. Over 98 percent of tickets for the tournament remain at their original, higher prices, a fact that has fuelled continued anger.
PR Spin or Genuine Concession?
The climbdown follows meetings in Doha, Qatar, early this week where senior officials discussed initial feedback on the exorbitant pricing. Some national football associations had indicated they would relay supporter concerns to FIFA.
A FIFA official close to the discussions stated that 'feedback had been listened to', emphasising the organisation's role in supporting global football development and claiming all 211 member associations would benefit from a commercially successful event.
Other sources, however, dismissed the move as mere 'PR spin', suggesting the financial loss to FIFA from the new tier is negligible and could easily be recouped elsewhere, such as through advertising during water breaks.
Fan groups are already planning to push for more, with a widespread belief that the proportion of $60 tickets should be increased to 50 percent and taken from the most expensive Category 1 seats, not cheaper categories.
Controversy Compounded by Accessibility Scandal
The ticket price announcement came shortly after another damaging controversy. Accessibility tickets, intended for disabled fans, were found on FIFA's official resale platform at more than six times their original face value.
The Disability and Inclusion Fan Network of Football Supporters Europe wrote to FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressing 'profound concern', accusing FIFA of contradicting its own statutes and public sentiments on disability inclusion. This references Infantino's much-criticised 'I feel' speech during the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
In a separate concession, FIFA stated that controversial administrative fees would be waived for refunds when teams are eliminated, though fans must still pay for their entire tournament package upfront.
The Football Association was understood to be preparing to relay concerns to FIFA but has yet to issue any public statement on the matter. With demand for tickets described as 'off the scale', with over 20 million requests, the pressure on FIFA to ensure a fair and accessible tournament continues to mount.
