The Football Association (FA) has said it will pass on England supporters' concerns about high ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup to Fifa. However, despite growing outrage, none of the international federations expect world football's governing body to change its policy.
Anger among supporter groups intensified after it emerged that the cheapest tickets will cost 10 times the price promised in the original bid for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. For England fans, group stage tickets will cost at least $220 (£165), compared to the $21 (£15.70) stated in the bid document. The cheapest tickets for the final will be $4,185 (£3,120), more than 30 times higher than originally planned, before travel and accommodation costs.
The Football Supporters' Association (FSA) described the prices as “scandalous” and said they were “a step too far for many supporters”. The FSA added: “Everything we feared about the direction in which Fifa wants to take the game was confirmed – Gianni Infantino only sees supporter loyalty as something to be exploited for profit.” England fans also expressed outrage on a private Facebook page, with many saying they would attend fewer games or consider a boycott, and one member highlighted that wheelchair users would have to pay the same price as able-bodied fans, with companions also charged.
The FA is understood to have only learned of Fifa's plans on Thursday and will pass on the concerns of fans and the FSA. Scotland fans, who qualified for their first finals since 1998, face similarly high prices. John MacLean of the Scottish Football Supporters Association (SFSA) called on national associations to “hold Fifa to account”, expressing “widespread disappointment” at prices that are, in some cases, five times the cost in Qatar.
The German football association (DFB) admitted it would have “preferred more affordable tickets” but had no control over them. Managing director Andreas Rettig said: “Fifa alone sets the ticket prices; the DFB has no influence over that. We were only informed of the prices a few hours before the application period opened.” Downing Street confirmed the government would not intervene, with a spokesperson stating: “That’s clearly a matter for Fifa.”
