- World Cup 2026 tickets attract over five million applications
- Supporters condemn FIFA over sharp rise in ticket prices
- Cheapest final ticket priced far above Qatar 2022 levels
More than five million ticket requests have been submitted for the 2026 FIFA World Cup since the latest sales phase opened on Thursday, FIFA has said, despite growing criticism over what supporters describe as excessively high prices.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that FIFA disclosed that fans from more than 200 countries have applied for tickets so far, with the group stage fixture between Colombia and Portugal in Miami on June 27 emerging as the most in-demand match.
The tournament, to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19 and will be the first World Cup expanded to 48 teams.
While demand remains strong, ticket pricing has sparked widespread backlash among supporters’ groups. The Football Supporters’ Association has described the prices as “scandalous,” warning that ordinary fans risk being priced out of a competition widely regarded as football’s global showpiece.
Group stage tickets are reportedly up to three times more expensive than those sold at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while the cheapest ticket for the final has been fixed at £3,119.
The Football Association is expected to raise supporters’ concerns directly with FIFA after being urged to challenge the pricing structure.
In a joint position with Football Supporters Europe, the FSA has called for an immediate pause in ticket sales to allow for dialogue with FIFA.
“We back Football Supporters Europe in calling for a halt in ticket sales, and we urge national associations to challenge these disgraceful prices,” the FSA said. “Without supporters, there would be no professional game.”
FIFA has yet to issue a public response. The issue is expected to feature at the FIFA Council meeting scheduled to hold in Doha next week.
According to the BBC, FIFA insiders argue that prices reflect the realities of the US market and are designed to support global football development, including youth and women’s programmes.
Ticket details released on Thursday showed that group stage matches such as England versus Croatia and Scotland versus Brazil are priced between £198 and £523. Quarter final tickets range from £507 to £1,073, semi final tickets from £686 to £2,363, while final tickets are up to seven times higher than Qatar 2022 prices.
There are no concessions for children or other groups.
FIFA said the highest number of requests came from the three host nations, followed by Colombia, England, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Scotland, Germany, Australia, France and Panama.
Following a team through all eight matches to the final could cost fans between £5,225 and £12,357, depending on ticket category.
