FIFA Slashes 2026 World Cup Ticket Prices to $60 Following Global Outcry

In a significant policy reversal, FIFA announced on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the introduction of a new “Supporter Entry Tier” for the 2026 World Cup. The move comes as a response to intense criticism from fan organizations and world leaders regarding “extortionate” original prices that threatened to make the tournament inaccessible to average supporters.

The 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, will feature an expanded format with 104 matches across 16 host cities.

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🎟️ The New “Supporter Entry Tier” Details

Feature	Details
Ticket Price	$60 (fixed) for all matches, including the Final
Eligibility	Reserved for loyal fans of qualified national teams
Allocation	10% of each national federation’s total ticket allotment
Distribution	Managed by individual National Federations (e.g., US Soccer, The FA)
Refund Policy	Administrative fees waived if a team is eliminated before the ticketed match

The price drop is dramatic compared to earlier estimates; for instance, the cheapest seat for the Final was previously projected to cost upwards of $3,000–$4,000.

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⚠️ The “Dynamic Pricing” Catch

Despite the new $60 tier, critics—including Football Supporters Europe (FSE) and British PM Keir Starmer—argue the changes don’t go far enough.

• Limited Availability: The $60 tickets account for only about 1.6% of total stadium capacity (roughly 1,000 tickets per match).
• Dynamic Pricing: FIFA will continue to use “dynamic pricing” for general public tickets, where prices fluctuate based on demand. This could still see knockout-stage tickets costing thousands of dollars.
• High Total Cost: FSE estimates that following a team from the group stage to the final will still cost a minimum of $6,900 in tickets alone.

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📅 Key Dates for Fans

• Current Phase: The Random Selection Draw (lottery) is currently open and will accept entries until January 13, 2026.
• Lottery Results: Fans will be notified of their success via email in February 2026.
• Payment: Successful applicants will be automatically charged in February.
• Tournament Dates: The World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City and concludes on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.

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