The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to kick off on 11 June, taking place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For the first time, the tournament will feature 48 teams, and the full schedule has already been made public. However, the announcement of the updated ticket prices has sparked significant discontent among football fans, particularly over the cost of final match tickets, which have been set at exceptionally high levels.
According to the Associated Press (AP), FIFA allocates eight per cent of the total tickets to the national football associations of the participating countries. This allocation is intended to allow associations to sell tickets to their most dedicated and loyal supporters, ensuring that passionate fans have access to the matches.
The ticket list published by the German Football Association indicates that prices for group stage matches range from $180 to $700, which is roughly equivalent to 21,955 BDT to 85,384 BDT. In contrast, the cheapest ticket for the final is priced at $4,185, approximately 510,000 BDT, while the most expensive ticket costs $8,680, around 1,058,764 BDT.
BBC has reported that the supporters’ group Football Supporters Europe expressed shock at FIFA’s “excessive pricing” policy and has urged the organisation to suspend ticket sales immediately. Likewise, the England Football Supporters Association described the exorbitant prices as being akin to “slapping fans in the face.” FIFA has yet to respond to these criticisms.
BBC Sport also reported that final tickets will be available in three tiers: the Supporter Value Tier at $4,185, the Supporter Standard Tier at $5,560, and the Supporter Premier Tier at $8,680.
AP points out that the current group stage prices do not match FIFA’s earlier promise made seven years ago to offer tickets starting at $60. During the United States’ bid to host the 2026 World Cup, organisers planned to make thousands of tickets available at $21 for the opening matches. The prices now released bear little resemblance to that original plan.
Football Supporters Europe (FSE) stated, “This is a major betrayal of the World Cup’s heritage, and the contribution of supporters has not been properly acknowledged.” The group has called on FIFA to halt ticket sales through national associations until a solution is reached that respects the World Cup’s traditions, universality, and cultural significance.
FIFA had announced in September that ticket prices on its website would initially range from $60 for group stage matches to $6,730 for the final. However, with the introduction of “dynamic pricing” for the first time, these amounts are subject to change, fuelling ongoing controversy and fan frustration.