World Cup organisers on Tuesday, December 16, announced the introduction of a lower-priced ticket category for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following sustained criticism over the cost of attending the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In a statement, FIFA said it had launched “Supporter Entry Tier” tickets, priced at $60 each and available for all 104 matches, including the final.
The governing body said the initiative is aimed at making the tournament more accessible to fans who plan to follow their national teams throughout the competition.
According to FIFA, the $60 tickets will be reserved exclusively for supporters of qualified nations and will make up 10 per cent of each national federation’s ticket allocation.
The move comes amid growing pressure from fan organisations. Last week, Football Supporters Europe (FSE) criticised 2026 World Cup ticket prices as “extortionate” and “astronomical,” noting that they are nearly five times higher than prices for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
FSE estimated that a fan following their team from the opening match to the final would spend at least $6,900, and recalled that FIFA’s 2018 bid documents had promised ticket prices starting from $21.
Announcing the new pricing tier, FIFA said national football associations have been asked to ensure the discounted tickets are allocated to loyal supporters with strong ties to their teams.
FIFA also confirmed that fans who buy tickets for knockout-stage matches but whose teams are eliminated earlier will have administrative fees waived when refunds are issued.
The organisation added that the decision was made amid “exceptional global demand,” revealing that 20 million ticket requests have already been received.
The ticket draw for all pricing categories in the first phase of sales is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13.
