FIFA has announced it will introduce a new “more affordable” ticket pricing tier for the 2026 World Cup following a backlash over prices.
The “Supporter Entry Tier” tickets, according to world football’s governing body, will be available at the fixed price of $60USD (£45) per ticket for each of the 104 matches, including the final.
The announcement comes amid backlash from several national fan groups, including Football Supporters Europe (FSE) who last week said it was “astonished” by FIFA’s pricing policy, which saw no ticket for the quarter-final and beyond less than £500.
Initially, the cheapest ticket for the final was more than £3,000, meaning any fan following their team all the way from the group stage to the final would have been set back at least £5,000.
The new tier, which FIFA says has been brought in after demand for tickets exceeded 20 million requests, will make up 10% of the allocation for each Football Association whose team is taking part.
“With demand in the current sales phase achieving 20 million ticket requests, FIFA has confirmed that fans of the national teams that have qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will benefit from a dedicated ticket pricing tier, which has been designed to make following their teams on football’s greatest stage more affordable,” FIFA said in a statement.
“The entry tier tickets will be allocated specifically to supporters of qualified teams, with the selection and distribution process managed individually by the Participating Member Associations (PMAs). Each PMA will define its own eligibility criteria and application process.
“They are requested to ensure that these tickets are specifically allocated to loyal fans who are closely connected to their national teams.
“In total, 50% of each PMA allocation will fall within the most affordable range, namely Supporter Value Tier (40%) and the Supporter Entry Tier (10%). The remaining allocation is split evenly between the Supporter Standard Tier and the Supporter Premier Tier.”
