In a major announcement from Doha, FIFA has confirmed a staggering financial package for the 2026 World Cup, headlined by a record £37.5 million prize for the tournament winner. The decision, ratified by football's governing body on Tuesday, comes alongside a significant policy U-turn on ticket pricing following intense pressure from supporters' groups.
Record-Breaking Prize Fund and Fan-Focused Reversal
The total prize pool for the competition, which will be hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, has been set at an astonishing £545 million. This represents a massive 50 per cent increase compared to the fund available for the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The move underscores the commercial scale of the first 48-team World Cup.
This financial revelation arrived just a day after FIFA bowed to widespread criticism over its initial ticket pricing structure. Fans were left outraged last week when prices were first released, with the cheapest seats for England's opening match against Croatia in Dallas priced at £200, and the most affordable final ticket exceeding £4,000.
Introduction of the 'Supporter Entry Tier'
In response to the backlash, FIFA has now guaranteed a new, cheaper ticket category. The newly created 'Supporter Entry Tier' will offer tickets for every match, including the final, at a fixed price of $60 (approximately £45). It is understood this category will account for roughly 10 per cent of each qualified nation's ticket allocation.
A FIFA spokesperson stated: 'Fans of the national teams that have qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will benefit from a dedicated ticket pricing tier, which has been designed to make following their teams on football’s greatest stage more affordable.'
England's Ticket Allocation and Distribution Challenge
For England, this means that for their opening game against Croatia, 400 tickets will be available at the £45 rate from their total allocation of 4,000 seats. The Football Association has been granted eight per cent of the stadium capacity for each of England's matches.
However, distributing these coveted cheap tickets presents a logistical challenge. With over 600 members in the England Supporters Travel Club's highest 'top capper' tier, FA officials must decide on a fair method, with a ballot considered the most likely solution. The FA has advised fans via email not to cancel any existing ticket applications.
The swift reversal followed urgent weekend talks in Doha with member associations, including the English and German football federations. A FIFA official close to the discussions noted the unprecedented demand, with over 20 million ticket requests already received, but affirmed that making $60 tickets available to loyal travelling fans was 'unanimously' agreed as the right thing to do.
While the number of discounted tickets is limited, the move is seen as a significant victory for fan campaigners. FIFA emphasised that a commercially successful World Cup benefits all 211 member associations, including the poorest nations, through its global development programmes.
