Following intense criticism and protests from fan groups over skyrocketing prices, FIFA has announced a new, affordable ticket category for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The global football governing body has launched a "Supporter Entry Tier," with tickets priced at a fixed rate of $60 USD.
This move comes as a direct response to the fierce backlash from supporters, particularly European fan groups, after initial ticket prices were revealed to be significantly higher than FIFA's earlier promises. Prices had surged, with early-phase tickets ranging from $180 to $700 USD, nearly triple the $60 starting point FIFA initially touted when sales opened in September.
The new budget-friendly ticket will be available for all 104 matches of the expanded 48-team tournament, including the final. FIFA has guaranteed that the price will remain static at $60 and will not be subject to dynamic pricing increases. In a fan-friendly provision, the organization also confirmed that supporters who purchase these tickets but see their national team eliminated before the knockout stages will be eligible for a full refund without any administrative fees.
"We are committed to making the FIFA World Cup accessible to as many fans as possible," a FIFA spokesperson stated, acknowledging the need for more affordable options.
The 2026 World Cup, to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, is already seeing massive demand. FIFA claims that over 20 million ticket requests have been submitted during the current sales phase in December, a surge that followed the final group stage draw held earlier this month.
The introduction of the Supporter Entry Tier marks a significant concession by FIFA, which faced mounting pressure to address the affordability crisis for one of the world's most-watched sporting events.