In a significant move following intense criticism from football fans worldwide, FIFA has announced a new, more affordable ticket category for the 2026 World Cup. The decision comes after global backlash against what supporters' groups labeled "astronomical" and "extortionate" pricing for the tournament set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The New "Supporter Entry Tier" and Fan Reaction
On Tuesday, football's global governing body revealed a limited number of "Supporter Entry Tier" tickets, fixed at a flat rate of $60 (approximately 51 euros) for all 104 matches, including the final. FIFA stated this initiative is designed to assist traveling fans who wish to follow their national teams throughout the competition. These budget-friendly tickets will be reserved for supporters of the qualified teams and will constitute 10 percent of each national federation's ticket allotment.
However, the prominent fan group Football Supporters Europe (FSE), which last week condemned the original prices as a "monumental betrayal," responded with skepticism. While acknowledging FIFA's recognition of the problem, FSE declared the revisions "do not go far enough." The group criticized the announcement as an "appeasement tactic" prompted by the global negative reaction, arguing it exposes flaws in FIFA's rushed and non-consultative ticketing policy.
Persistent Concerns Over Cost and Accessibility
FSE highlighted that the new $60 category would benefit only a tiny fraction of supporters. Based on available allocations, just a few hundred fans per match per team would access these prices, leaving the vast majority facing costs far higher than at any previous tournament. The group reiterated its earlier calculation that following a team from the first match to the final would cost a minimum of $6,900 under the existing pricing structure, a stark contrast to the $21 starting price promised in FIFA's 2018 bid document.
Ronan Evain, FSE director, pointed out a glaring disparity: a fan in category four could follow their team to the final for $480, while another in category three, sitting in the same stadium section, could pay 15 times more at $6,900. He also raised serious concerns about accessibility, noting that disabled supporters and their companions face prohibitive costs, potentially reaching $14,000 to follow a team to the final.
Broader Criticism and FIFA's Stance
The criticism extended beyond fan groups. Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the cheaper tickets but urged FIFA to do more to ensure the World Cup remains accessible to genuine supporters. Furthermore, Evain criticized the lack of transparency in ticket distribution, as FIFA provides no binding guidelines to its member associations (PMAs) on how to allocate tickets, including the new affordable tier.
In its announcement, FIFA requested that national federations ensure the $60 tickets go to "loyal fans" closely connected to their teams. The body also stated that fans who buy knockout round tickets only to see their team eliminated earlier will have administrative fees waived on refunds. FIFA made this move amid extraordinary global demand, with over 20 million ticket requests already submitted. The draw for the first round of sales for all ticket categories is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13.
