In a significant move aimed at quelling a growing storm of criticism, FIFA, the global governing body of football, has unveiled a new budget-friendly ticket category for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. The tournament, to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, had faced fierce backlash from fan groups over what they labelled "astronomical" pricing.
What is FIFA's New 'Supporter Entry Tier'?
On Tuesday, FIFA announced the creation of a limited "Supporter Entry Tier" priced at just $60 (approximately €51) for all 104 matches of the mega-event, including the final. This initiative is specifically "designed to further support travelling fans following their national teams across the tournament," according to an official statement.
However, access to these heavily subsidised tickets will be restricted. They will be reserved exclusively for fans of the qualified teams and will constitute 10 percent of each national federation's total ticket allocation. FIFA has stated that the responsibility of ensuring these cheaper tickets reach "loyal fans closely connected to their national teams" will lie with the individual football federations.
A Response to Mounting Fan Anger
This decision comes as a direct response to sharp and sustained criticism led by Football Supporters Europe (FSE). Just last week, FSE had branded FIFA's original pricing strategy for the 2026 tournament as "extortionate" and a "monumental betrayal of the tradition of the World Cup." The group had claimed that ticket prices were nearly five times higher than those for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
FSE also highlighted a stark contrast with promises made during the 2018 bid process, which suggested tickets could start from as low as $21. The group calculated that a fan aiming to follow their team from the group stage all the way to the final would still face a staggering minimum cost of around $6,900, even with the new measures.
Critics Say the Move Falls Short
While acknowledging FIFA's step, fan organisations and even political figures argue it is insufficient. FSE welcomed the recognition of the problem but stated the revisions "do not go far enough." They described the $60 tier as an "appeasement tactic," pointing out that only a few hundred fans per match would benefit, while the majority continue to grapple with record-high prices.
Further criticism was aimed at the apparent lack of specific, affordable provisions for disabled fans and their companions. The sentiment was echoed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who, while welcoming the lower-priced tickets, urged FIFA on social media platform X to do more. "I encourage FIFA to do more to make tickets more affordable so that the World Cup doesn't lose touch with the genuine supporters," he wrote.
In a related customer-friendly update, FIFA confirmed that fans who purchase tickets for the knockout rounds but see their team eliminated earlier will have their administrative fees waived when applying for a refund.
The announcement arrives amidst what FIFA terms "extraordinary global demand," with over 20 million ticket requests already submitted. The first ticket sales draw, which will include all price categories, is scheduled for January 13.
