Soccer fans have condemned FIFA for a “monumental betrayal” after the latest ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup were released on Thursday, reports AP.
FIFA allocates 8% of tickets to national associations for matches involving their teams, but a list published by the German Football Federation shows group-stage tickets ranging from $180 to $700, with the final costing between $4,185 and $8,680.
These prices contrast sharply with FIFA’s earlier promise of $60 tickets for group-stage matches and the U.S. bid pledge of hundreds of thousands of $21 seats. Fan organization Football Supporters Europe (FSE) called the prices “extortionate” and urged FIFA to halt national association sales until a fair solution is found.
The English Football Association informed the England Supporters Travel Club that attending every match through to the final could cost over $7,000. FIFA said tickets on its website would range from $60 for group games to $6,730 for the final, though prices may change under the new dynamic pricing system.
Tickets are divided into four categories, with Category 1 offering the best seats, though the German federation’s list only included three categories. For example, Germany’s opening match against Curacao in Houston starts at $180, while semifinal tickets begin at $920.
FIFA launched its third phase of ticket sales Thursday, allowing fans to apply for specific matches through the “Random Selection Draw.” Following last week’s draw, fans now know match dates and venues, including potential quarterfinals such as Lionel Messi’s Argentina versus Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in Kansas City.
The draw opened December 11 at 11 a.m. ET (1600 GMT) and closes January 13, 2026. Fans can apply for up to four tickets per match and 40 tickets across the tournament, selecting preferred matches and price categories via FIFA’s website using a FIFA ID. Successful applicants will be notified by email in February.
In comparison, tickets for the 1994 U.S. World Cup ranged from $25 to $475, and 2022 Qatar World Cup tickets cost $70 to $1,600. Resale prices for the 2026 final at MetLife Stadium already exceed $11,000. FIFA has set up a resale platform charging a 15% fee and plans to release remaining tickets on a first-come, first-served basis, though no date has been announced.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
