FIFA slashes price of some 2026 World Cup tickets after global fan backlash

FIFA announced on Tuesday that $60 tickets will be made available for every game at the tournament in North America, to be distributed to the national federations whose teams are participating. Those federations decide how to distribute them to loyal fans who have attended previous games at home and on the road.

The number of $60 tickets for each game is likely to be in the hundreds, rather than thousands, in what FIFA is now calling a “Supporter Entry Tier” price category.

FIFA did not specify exactly why it so dramatically changed strategy, but said the lower prices are “designed to further support travelling fans following their national teams across the tournament.

The World Cup in North America will be the first edition that features 48 teams, up from 32, and is expected to earn FIFA at least $10 billion in revenue. But fans worldwide reacted with shock and anger last week on seeing FIFA’s ticketing plans that gave participating teams no tickets in the lowest-priced category.

The cheapest prices ranged from $120 to $265 for group-stage games that did not involve co-hosts, the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The development comes following talks with member associations, which included the FA and German federation.

A FIFA spokesperson said: '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.