After facing a week of angry complaints from soccer fans around the world, FIFA has backed down and created cheaper ticket options for the 2026 World Cup. The soccer organization announced a new “Supporter Entry Tier” with tickets priced at just $60, including for the final match.
The controversy started when FIFA opened ticket sales with eye-watering prices that made fans feel like they needed to sell a kidney to attend. The cheapest final ticket at MetLife Stadium cost over £3,000 for British supporters. When you add travel, hotels, and food costs, many loyal fans felt completely priced out of supporting their teams.
Fan groups didn’t hold back their frustration. They called the prices “extortionate” and said FIFA was betraying the very people who make soccer special. Even seasoned soccer figure Neil Warnock expressed deep concern, saying prices were “through the roof.” Multiple supporter organizations urged FIFA to pause ticket sales and rethink their strategy entirely.
The backlash grew even stronger when accessibility tickets appeared on FIFA’s resale platform at six times their original price. This sparked outrage from disability advocates who accused FIFA of contradicting their own rules about inclusion.
FIFA’s solution offers 10% of tickets for each game at the fixed $60 price. However, these cheaper tickets won’t be available to the general public. Instead, national soccer federations will distribute them to their own fans. Buyers must pay upfront for their team’s entire World Cup run, which could mean several games.
While the new tier shows FIFA listened to criticism, fans remain skeptical. The 10% allocation seems tiny considering 20 million people have already requested tickets. Many worry that with such intense demand, even the affordable tickets will be nearly impossible to get. Critics argue the move was made without consultation with fan groups, highlighting FIFA’s tendency to act unilaterally on important decisions.
The controversy highlights a growing tension in soccer between making money and keeping the sport accessible to regular fans. The tournament will feature a record 48 teams participating this summer, making ticket allocation even more competitive. FIFA’s retreat suggests they recognize that empty seats and angry supporters could damage the tournament’s atmosphere. When investing in high-priced assets like World Cup tickets, fans would benefit from diversifying their entertainment investments rather than putting all their money into a single event.
Whether this change satisfies frustrated fans remains to be seen as the 2026 World Cup approaches.
