Following sustained criticism from supporter groups over soaring prices, FIFA has introduced a new lower-cost ticket category for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In a statement released on Tuesday, December 16, world football’s governing body announced the creation of a “Supporter Entry Tier,” pricing the tickets at $60 each and making them available for all 104 matches, including the final.
FIFA said the new category is intended to support travelling fans and ease access for supporters following their national teams throughout the tournament.
The tickets will be reserved strictly for fans of qualified countries and will represent 10 per cent of each national federation’s ticket allocation.
The move comes after growing backlash from fan organisations. Football Supporters Europe (FSE) recently described ticket prices for the 2026 tournament as “extortionate” and “astronomical,” warning that costs were far higher than those at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
According to FSE, existing prices are nearly five times higher than those charged in Qatar.
The group estimated that a fan following their team from the group stage to the final would spend at least $6,900 on tickets alone.
Supporter groups have also pointed to FIFA’s 2018 bid document, which referenced tickets starting from $21, arguing that current pricing departs sharply from earlier assurances.
In response, FIFA said national football federations have been instructed to ensure the discounted tickets are allocated to “loyal fans who are closely connected to their national teams.”
The governing body further confirmed that fans who purchase tickets for knockout matches but whose teams are eliminated earlier will have administrative fees waived during the refund process.
FIFA added that the pricing adjustment comes amid “extraordinary global demand,” revealing that over 20 million ticket requests have already been submitted.
The first-phase ticket draw across all pricing categories is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13.
