FIFA takes step back in 2026 World Cup ticket scandal

Supporters of teams qualifying for the 2026 World Cup will be able to purchase tickets for $60 (approximately euro51) per match, the International Football Association Board (FIFA) announced, in response to criticism from supporters' organizations, who have denounced the "astronomical" fees. FIFA said it was introducing a new ticket category, called "Supporter Entry", which will offer tickets "at a price of $60 each, available for all 104 matches of the tournament", including the 2026 World Cup final. The competition will bring together 48 teams and will be held next summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada. "This initiative aims to provide additional support to fans who follow their national team throughout the tournament,” FIFA said in an official statement.

The announcement comes after Football Supporters Europe (FSE) last week publicly expressed its outrage at "the astronomical prices imposed by FIFA on its most loyal supporters.” According to the FSE, which claims to have consulted "price lists published gradually and confidentially by FIFA,” a fan who would have followed their favorite team from the first match to the final would have had to pay at least $6,900 (approximately euro6,000), an amount almost five times higher than at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The FSE reacted to FIFA's announcement, saying that the decision shows that "FIFA's ticketing policy is not immutable and was hastily established without proper consultation.” However, the organization stressed that "the announced revisions are not sufficiently comprehensive to be satisfactory.” According to FIFA, interest in the 2026 World Cup is already extremely high: so far, around 20 million ticket applications have been received in the current phase of the lottery.