FIFA launches $60 ticket tier amid criticism of 2026 World Cup pricing

FIFA on Tuesday introduced a limited number of $60 “Supporter Entry Tier” tickets in an effort to make next year’s World Cup more affordable for fans of qualified teams.

Football’s governing body said the discounted tickets will be available for all 104 matches of the tournament, including the final.

The lower-priced tickets will account for 10% of the ticket allocations assigned to Participating Member Associations (PMAs).

PMAs, which represent competing national teams and manage dedicated fan ticket programs, will be responsible for distributing the tickets. Each association will also set its own criteria to prioritize so-called “loyal fans” who have strong connections to their national teams.

“In total, half of each PMA’s ticket allocation will fall within the most affordable categories: 40% under the Supporter Value Tier and 10% under the new Supporter Entry Tier,” FIFA said in a statement.

“The remaining allocation will be split evenly between the Supporter Standard Tier and the Supporter Premier Tier,” it added.

Fans who apply for tickets through PMA programs and whose teams fail to advance to the knockout stage will have administrative fees waived when requesting refunds.

The announcement comes as FIFA faces growing scrutiny over ticket prices ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will run from June 11 to July 19 across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Last week, Football Supporters Europe (FSE) accused FIFA of setting “extortionate” ticket prices that could prevent average fans from attending the tournament.

Step in the right direction

FSE director Ronan Evain told Reuters on Tuesday that while the new pricing structure was a step in the right direction, it was “clearly not sufficient.”

Evain said that following a team all the way to the final would cost $480 under the lowest category, but rises sharply to $6,900 for category three tickets. This means one fan “sitting in the same section” as another could end up paying up to 15 times more.

He also criticized the lack of transparency in ticket distribution.

“FIFA doesn’t provide any guidelines or obligations for the PMAs. They have the freedom to choose how they distribute the tickets,” Evain said.

According to the BBC, around 400 of the cheaper tickets will be available for England and Scotland during their group-stage matches. However, Evain noted that most PMAs do not publicly disclose their ticket allocations.

FIFA said PMAs were asked to ensure that the cheaper tickets are “specifically allocated to loyal fans who are closely connected to their national teams.”

Evain also raised concerns about accessibility for fans with disabilities, saying the lowest-priced route to the final could cost $7,000. He added that disabled fans must also pay full price for companion seats, bringing the total cost to as much as $14,000.

Reuters has contacted FIFA for comment on Evain’s concerns.

Despite the criticism, FIFA reported strong demand during the third phase of ticket sales, which opened on December 11 and runs until January 13. Interest has been fueled by the release of match schedules, venues, and kickoff times. -Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico CityEditing by Toby Davis/Reuters