FIFA Faces Global Fan Fury Over Soaring 2026 World Cup Ticket Prices

The governing body of Football is on the hot seat as it recently revealed the prices of 2026 World Cup tickets, which outraged fans worldwide. Supporters say that FIFA had broken their earlier pledge of keeping them rather affordable; they said the pricing was a "monumental betrayal."

Initial bids for the tournament across the United States, Canada, and Mexico had promised entry-level tickets as low as $21 to ensure that millions could get access. However, the latest figures have shown a complete contrast, with group-stage tickets ranging between $180 and $700, plus seats for the final rising between $4,185 and $8,680.

Fan organisations across Europe and beyond condemned the move, with many describing the pricing as "extortionate" and warning that the World Cup risks being corporatised at the expense of the very global football culture it's supposed to celebrate. Football Supporters Europe demanded an immediate freeze on ticket sales, claiming that these sharp increases betrayed years of assurances about affordability.

But the backlash isn't confined to Europe. Supporters in Australia, Asia, and Africa also feel cheated, pointing out that these sky-high costs will exclude many of the most loyal fans-countries who were hoping to attend. The critics argue that this pricing strategy runs against the spirit of openness that the World Cup should represent.

With the tournament set to be the largest in history, expanding to 48 teams across three host nations, controversy over the affordability of tickets puts a damper on preparations. As ballots open and allocations are revealed, the debate grows louder: is the World Cup still for the fans, or has it become an event for the rich?