Football fans accuse FIFA of increasing World Cup ticket prices

After the groups for the 2026 World Cup were revealed, FIFA also announced ticket sales. This year, the governing body allocated 8% of the tickets to national associations to sell to their loyal supporters. Recently, the German federation revealed its prices, ranging from $180 to $700 for group-stage matches.

The news angered fans, as FIFA had previously claimed there would be $60 tickets - yet the current prices are at least three times higher. Furthermore, the U.S. federation originally aimed for $21 tickets for the opening games when bidding to host the World Cup. Now, that goal seems far out of reach. Football Supporters Europe (FSE) labelled the prices “extortionate.”

Based on the current pricing, a fan would have to pay $8,111 to follow one nation through all matches - from the group stage to the final - via the Participant Member Association (PMA) allocation. PMA is intended to help loyal supporters attend as many matches as possible, though prices are dynamic. According to FSE, this amount is five times higher than the cost at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Germany is not the only affected nation. England fans face similar issues. The England Fans’ Embassy posted on X: “These prices are a slap in the face to supporters who follow their team outside of the flagship tournament that appears every four years. To call the Category 3 tickets - the cheapest available to England Supporters Travel Club members - ‘Supporter Value Category 3,’ costing $7,020 if you want to follow England from start to finish, is laughable.”

FIFA has not yet responded to the accusations. They have, however, launched their third phase of ticket sales, where fans can apply through a “Random Selection Draw.” In this system, applicants choose the matches, categories, and number of tickets they want, and are randomly selected to purchase them.

The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 across North America (Canada, the United States, and Mexico). With 16 venues in 16 cities and 48 participating teams, it will be the biggest World Cup in history.