Football Supporters Europe Condemns FIFA’s ‘Monumental Betrayal’ with World Cup Ticket Prices

Supporters hoping to attend the upcoming World Cup final are facing shocking ticket prices. The cost of tickets in the ‘supporter value tier’ begins at £3,119 ($4,185). This news has been met with outrage from the fan organization Football Supporters Europe (FSE), which has labeled FIFA’s pricing strategy as “extortionate.”

FIFA’s Ticket Pricing Strategy

The high ticket prices for both group games and the final have raised eyebrows this week. FIFA has started informing national football associations about their ticket allocations. The cheapest ticket available for the World Cup has surged almost 700% compared to the previous tournament in 2022. In Qatar, the lowest-priced tickets were £450.

Price Comparison: 2022 vs. 2026

• Supporter Value Tier: £3,119 ($4,185) vs. £450 (2022)
• Supporter Standard Tier: £4,162 ($5,560) vs. £747 (2022)
• Supporter Premium Tier: £6,615 ($8,860) vs. £1,197 (2022)

FSE has called for an immediate halt to ticket sales, arguing that the absence of a more affordable ticket category represents a “monumental betrayal” of World Cup traditions. They emphasized that the pricing ignores the vital contributions of supporters to the event’s atmosphere.

Upcoming Ticket Sales and Availability

The next ticket ballot is set to open soon. On Monday, members of national supporters’ clubs will have the opportunity to enter a random draw for tickets to individual matches or pursue their team through to the final. Approximately 4,000 tickets are available for each game through official supporters’ groups.

General Ticket Allocation

The majority of tickets will be distributed through a random ballot, except for those set aside by FIFA for corporate partners. Venues will hold capacities ranging from 94,000 at the Dallas Stadium to 45,000 at the Toronto Stadium.

Pricing Strategy for Group Stage Games

This year, group stage pricing will vary based on the perceived attractiveness of each match, moving away from the flat pricing model used in Qatar. For example, tickets for the England vs. Croatia match on 17 June will be priced at £198, £373, or £523. Meanwhile, Scotland’s group matches against Haiti and Morocco will be offered at cheaper rates of £134, £298, and £372.

In a notable change, there are no tickets available in category four for fans during this tournament, consistent with the previous World Cup, where such tickets were exclusively reserved for Qatar residents.