By Blessing Nweke
FIFA has announced the introduction of a new, more affordable $60 (£45) ticket category for all 104 matches at the 2026 World Cup, following widespread criticism over the event’s pricing structure. The move is aimed at making tickets more accessible to loyal fans of the nations participating in the tournament, which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The governing body revealed that these tickets will be available to a limited number of supporters from each qualified country, with the allocation representing 10% of each football association’s ticket allotment. For teams like England and Scotland, around 400 tickets for group matches will be available at the lower price point.
A FIFA official close to the decision said, “We have listened to feedback, and this new category is the right thing to do.” The announcement was hailed as a step forward, with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcoming the news, though he called for further efforts to ensure tickets remain affordable for all fans. “I encourage FIFA to do more to make tickets more affordable so that the World Cup doesn’t lose touch with the genuine supporters who make the game so special,” Starmer said.
Despite FIFA’s attempt to address concerns, the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) criticized the move as insufficient, calling it a “hollow gesture” that fails to fully address the issue. Tom Greatrex, FSA chair, lamented that the new pricing did not go far enough to alleviate the financial burden on fans. Similarly, Football Supporters Europe (FSE) acknowledged FIFA’s recognition of the problem but argued the revisions still fell short of a comprehensive solution.
The new ticket structure will offer a total of 50% of each football association’s allocation at the most affordable rates, with 40% priced at the “supporter value tier” and 10% in the “supporter entry tier.” The remaining tickets will be priced higher in the “supporter standard” and “supporter premier” tiers.
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