What's happened
FIFA's ticket pricing for the 2026 World Cup has sparked criticism over high costs, especially for accessibility tickets. The organisation introduced lower-priced tickets for supporters, but critics say the measures are insufficient, with some tickets reselling at many times their face value. Supporters and officials call for further action.
What's behind the headline?
The ticketing controversy reveals FIFA's balancing act between maximizing revenue and maintaining supporter engagement. The introduction of a $60 supporter entry tier for all 104 matches is a step toward affordability, but it accounts for only 1.6% of total tickets, leaving most fans facing high prices. Critics argue that the limited allocation and the resale of accessibility tickets at inflated prices highlight FIFA's failure to prioritize genuine supporter access. The backlash underscores a broader tension in global sports: the push for record revenues often clashes with the core values of inclusivity and accessibility. The response from political leaders like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Football Supporters' Association indicates growing pressure on FIFA to do more. Moving forward, FIFA's challenge will be to reconcile its financial ambitions with the need to preserve the tournament's reputation as a global celebration of football, ensuring that affordability and support for disabled fans are genuinely addressed rather than token gestures.
What the papers say
The Scotsman reports that FIFA's resale platform has seen accessibility tickets reselling at over six times their face value, with critics condemning the pricing policies as an 'unfair tax' on disabled supporters. The Mirror highlights FIFA's recent introduction of a fixed $45 ticket for supporters of qualified teams, but notes that only about 10% of tickets are at this price, limiting availability. Politico emphasizes the political pressure from leaders like Keir Starmer, who urges FIFA to go further in making tickets affordable. The Guardian details FIFA's creation of a new 'entry tier' priced at $60, covering just 1.6% of total tickets, and discusses the broader controversy over dynamic pricing and its impact on supporter access. Overall, the coverage underscores a widespread concern that FIFA's current ticketing policies threaten the inclusivity of the World Cup, risking alienating loyal fans and supporters with disabilities.
How we got here
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, has seen ticket prices soar, driven by dynamic pricing and expanded tournament size. Supporters' groups and governments have expressed concern over affordability, especially for disabled fans and loyal supporters, amid fears that high costs could limit participation and undermine the event's inclusivity.
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FIFA is a non-profit organization which describes itself as an international governing body of association football, fútsal, beach soccer, and efootball. It is the highest governing body of football.
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.