FIFA release official embarrassing justification for outrageous 2026 World Cup ticket prices

We all knew 2026 World Cup ticket prices were going to be bad.

However, I doubt anybody could have guessed how extreme the reality would prove to be.

Thursday saw the details emerge.

FIFA letting fans know many more of the 2026 World Cup ticket prices that will have to be paid to see the games next summer.

Two words to sum up the general reaction from football fans, anger and disbelief.

The whole thing is just shocking.

Speaking of shocking…have a read below of the official FIFA explanation/justification for the 2026 World Cup ticket prices below, beyond embarrassing.

Before that, here is part of a BBC Sport report on exactly how much tickets are going to cost.

BBC sport report 2026 World Cup ticket prices – 11 December 2025:

‘Supporters hoping to attend next year’s World Cup final face paying thousands of pounds for the cheapest ticket.

Fans’ group Football Supporters Europe has said it is “astonished” by Fifa’s “extortionate” pricing strategy, and called for ticket sales to be “halted immediately”.

The Football Supporters’ Association’s England Fans’ Embassy said it was a “slap in the face” for supporters.

BBC Sport understands tickets for the final in MetLife Stadium, New York, are in three tiers:

‘Supporter value tier’ – £3,119 ($4,185)

‘Supporter standard tier’ – £4,162 ($5,560)

‘Supporter premium tier’ – £6,615 ($8,860)

Tickets to Fifa’s showpiece event are as much as seven times more expensive than the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with the lowest price ticket at that event costing £450.

There are no concessions across any of its tickets for children or other groups.

And, in a departure from recent tournaments, group stage games are priced based on the perceived popularity of the teams involved, rather than at a flat rate.

This means, for example, England fans face paying more than Scotland.

Fifa has not provided details yet on how this “popularity” has been determined.

In Qatar, group stage fixtures had set prices of £68.50, £164.50 and £219.

But for England’s match against Croatia on 17 June, tickets cost £198, £373 or £523.

England v Ghana is £164, £320 and £447, with England v Panama £164, £346 and £462.

Scotland’s first two group games are cheaper than England’s.

Against Haiti the prices will be £134, £298 or £372, with Morocco set as £163, £320 and £447. The final group game against Brazil is priced the same as England v Croatia.

Quarter-finals for all teams are £507, £757 and £1,073, with the semi-finals £686, £1,819 and £2,363.

For the entire tournament through to the final, it will cost about £5,225 for one person to go to all eight matches, up to £8,580 in the mid-price range, or £12,357 for the top tier.

In 2022, it would have cost £1,466, £2,645 or £3,914, though that was for seven games rather than eight.’

FIFA have given this official explanation/justification for the 2026 World Cup ticket prices:

‘How does FIFA determine ticket prices for the FIFA World Cup 2026™?

‘FIFA’s ticketing approach aligns with industry trends across various sports and entertainment sectors, where price adaptations are made to optimize sales, attendance and ensure a fair market value.

FIFA applies variable pricing and may adjust ticket prices throughout the sales phases based on a review of demand and availability for each match. However, FIFA is not implementing a dynamic pricing model for FIFA World Cup 2026™ tickets, as prices will not be automatically modified.

FIFA aims to achieve its strategic objectives by optimizing revenues and maximizing attendance. With this approach, FIFA considers that ticket price adaptations help ensure fair market value for FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches. As a not-for-profit organization, 90% of all revenue FIFA generates is redistributed back into the global game, supporting the growth of football around the world.’

My thoughts

Just when you think football can’t slip any further away from the people, FIFA say hold my drink.

The question is, who exactly is deciding that these should be the 2026 World Cup ticket prices?

If it is the football associations of all the countries around the globe, who are all agreeing to do this, then why are they not being challenged on this.

If this is just Gianni Infantino deciding it and/or a very small group of individuals, why don’t the rest of those in positions of authority, all of the FAs of the various countries, step in and stop this happening?

The FIFA justification keeps using the phrase ‘Fair market value’…really???

Whilst the justification that 90% of the revenue generated gets ‘redistributed back into the global game’…hmmm. So who exactly decides where that money is redistributed? Would it be by any chance, the same person/people who are responsible for making the decision to charge these prices?? As for trusting these vast riches to be ‘redistributed’ in the best and fairest way possible..

Yes, getting the likes of Chelsea and Man City to take part in the rubbish Club World Cup by giving them around £100m each, this is really helping to support and grow the football family!!!