Washington: Soccer supporters across Europe and beyond have slammed FIFA after newly circulated ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup appeared far higher than previously promised. Fan groups say the governing body has abandoned affordability commitments, sparking widespread frustration as national associations begin sharing their allocated ticket slabs.

The backlash intensified after the German Football Association published its ticket list, revealing that group-stage seats range from $180 to $700 – a stark contrast to FIFA’s earlier assurances of $60 entry-level options. Prices for the final have soared even further, with the cheapest ticket listed at $4,185 and the most expensive climbing to $8,680.

Fan groups condemn sharp price hike

Football Supporters Europe (FSE) sharply criticised the pricing structure, calling the rates “extortionate” and accusing FIFA of betraying the long-standing spirit of supporter access at football’s biggest event.

“This is a monumental betrayal of the tradition of the World Cup, ignoring the contribution of supporters to the spectacle it is,” the group said, urging FIFA to halt national-association sales “until a solution that respects the tradition, universality, and cultural significance of the World Cup is found.”

Similarly, the English Football Association shared pricing details with the England Supporters Travel Club, noting that fans following the team through every match up to the final would spend just over $7,000 on tickets alone.

Ticket categories and the new dynamic pricing model

FIFA had previously stated in September that tickets sold directly through its website would initially begin at $60 for early-round fixtures and rise as high as $6,730 for the final. However, for the first time, the World Cup will use a dynamic pricing system, meaning prices could fluctuate based on demand.

The list released in Germany featured only three pricing categories, unlike FIFA’s usual four. Among the entries: Germany’s opener against Curaçao in Houston, where the lowest ticket is priced at $180. Semi-final tickets start at $920 and rise to $1,125.

Third phase of sales begins amid rising anger

FIFA opened its third major ticketing phase on Thursday, allowing fans to apply for specific matches under its “Random Selection Draw” system. The shift comes after the official tournament draw clarified when and where teams – including Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal – would play, enabling supporters to target exact matches.

Applications opened on 11 December at 11 am ET (1600 GMT) and will close on 13 January 2026. FIFA stressed that application timing will not affect success rates. Fans must hold a FIFA ID and can request up to four tickets per match, with a maximum of 40 tickets across the tournament. Successful applicants will be notified in February.

Despite this, fans are not guaranteed tickets, even if they apply across several matches.

Historic pricing comparison and secondary market surge

Ticket prices for the 1994 World Cup in the United States ranged from $25 to $475. In Qatar 2022, seats cost roughly between $70 and $1,600 at the time of official release. By contrast, resale platforms are already listing 2026 final tickets at over $11,000.

FIFA has also introduced an official resale portal for this edition, charging a 15% fee on the resale price.

The governing body noted that leftover tickets will eventually go on general sale on a first-come, first-served basis, but has yet to confirm when this final batch will be released. (AP)