The Wasu Post Reporter
Football supporters’ groups across Europe have reacted angrily to Fifa’s newly announced ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup, warning that ordinary fans are being priced out of the global showcase.
The cheapest ticket for the final at MetLife Stadium in New York will cost £3,119, while premium seats rise to £6,615. The figures represent a sharp escalation from the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where the lowest-priced final ticket was £450.
Football Supporters Europe (FSE) described the pricing as “extortionate” and an act of “monumental betrayal.” The group has urged Fifa to immediately halt ticket sales and review the pricing policy. England’s Fans’ Embassy echoed the concerns, calling the move “a slap in the face” for supporters who follow their teams every year.
Fifa has yet to respond publicly to the mounting criticism.
In a major shift from previous tournaments, Fifa has introduced variable pricing for group-stage matches, basing ticket costs on the perceived popularity of participating teams. As a result, supporters of countries with larger followings will pay significantly more.
For England fans, group match ticket prices range from £164 to £523, while Scotland supporters will pay between £134 and £447, depending on the fixture. Fifa has not revealed how “popularity” is being assessed.
Across the knockout stages, quarter-final tickets will cost £507 to £1,073, while semi-final seats range from £686 to £2,363.
Following one team from the group stage to the final could cost between £5,225 and £12,357, compared with £1,466 to £3,914 in 2022.
FSE said the new structure disadvantages loyal fans, especially as the cheapest “category four” tickets have been reserved for the general ballot instead of national supporters’ groups.
England supporter Luke Buxton told BBC Radio 5 Live that his plans to attend several knockout matches may collapse due to the cost: “It’s a big betrayal to the most dedicated fans.”
Scotland fan John Wallan expressed concern about affordability for families, estimating that a trip for his household could reach £20,000.
The main ticket ballot opened on Thursday, with members of national supporters’ clubs set to enter their dedicated draw next week. Each match has about 4,000 tickets allocated to official fan groups.
While dynamic pricing is not being applied during this phase, costs are expected to rise further once Fifa opens its resale platform later in the year.