FIFA Introduces £45 Entry-Level Tickets for 2026 World Cup After Fan Backlash
FIFA has announced the introduction of a new £45 ($60) ticket category for the 2026 World Cup, following widespread criticism of the tournament’s original pricing structure.
World football’s governing body said the lower-priced tickets will be made available for all 104 matches of the competition, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. The tickets will be offered in limited numbers to what FIFA described as “loyal fans” of nations that qualify for the tournament.
A FIFA official involved in the discussions said the decision followed internal reviews and feedback from stakeholders, adding that the move was agreed unanimously.
The announcement has drawn a cautious welcome from political and football figures. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the move was positive but urged FIFA to go further, warning that the World Cup risks becoming disconnected from ordinary supporters if prices remain out of reach.
The new £45 option sits within the “supporter entry tier”, the lowest-priced category available. FIFA said the tickets will account for 10% of each participating nation’s ticket allocation. For countries such as England and Scotland, this is expected to translate to roughly 400 tickets per group-stage match at the reduced price.
Previously, fan groups had criticised the cost of attending the tournament, with the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) estimating that following England from the group stage to the final could have cost supporters more than £5,000 under the original pricing model.
Despite the change, supporter organisations have expressed mixed reactions. The FSA described the move as largely symbolic, arguing that it does little to address broader affordability concerns. Football Supporters Europe (FSE) also said the revisions were welcome but insufficient to fully resolve the impact of the initial pricing plans.
The decision followed meetings held in Doha, Qatar, over the weekend and earlier this week, where ticket pricing and fan access were discussed with senior FIFA officials. Sources within the English Football Association said the governing body views the development as a step in the right direction, albeit a limited one.
In a statement, FIFA said the entry-level tickets would be allocated directly to supporters of qualified teams, with national football associations responsible for managing applications and distribution. Each association will set its own eligibility criteria, with instructions to prioritise fans who have a strong and consistent connection to their national teams.
FIFA added that half of each national association’s total ticket allocation will fall within its most affordable categories, split between the supporter value tier and the new supporter entry tier, while the remainder will be divided between standard and premium supporter tickets.
