FIFA on Tuesday announced the introduction of a limited number of $60 “Supporter Entry Tier” tickets to make the 2026 World Cup more affordable for fans of qualified teams.
Football’s global governing body said the discounted tickets will be valid for all 104 matches of the tournament, including the final. The new category will account for 10 percent of each Participating Member Association’s (PMA) ticket allocation.
PMA ticket allocations managed by national teams
Participating Member Associations, which represent competing national teams and operate official fan ticket programmes, will oversee the distribution of these tickets. Each PMA will also set its own criteria to prioritise “loyal fans” with strong ties to their national teams.
FIFA stated that half of every PMA’s ticket allocation will fall under the most affordable pricing categories, with 40 percent classified as Supporter Value Tier tickets and 10 percent under the newly introduced Supporter Entry Tier. The remaining tickets will be divided equally between the Supporter Standard Tier and the Supporter Premier Tier.
Fans who apply for tickets through PMA programmes and whose teams fail to reach the knockout stages will be eligible for refunds without administrative fees.
Ticket pricing under scrutiny ahead of 2026 World Cup
The announcement comes as ticket pricing for the 2026 World Cup faces increasing criticism. The tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Last week, Football Supporters Europe (FSE) accused FIFA of setting “extortionate” ticket prices that could price out ordinary fans. FSE director Ronan Evain welcomed the introduction of cheaper tickets but said the measure does not go far enough.
Speaking to Reuters, Evain said that following a team to the final would cost $480 under the lowest category but could rise to $6,900 for higher tiers, meaning fans seated in the same area could pay vastly different prices. He also raised concerns over the lack of transparency in how PMAs distribute tickets.
According to BBC estimates, around 400 of the lowest-priced tickets may be available for England and Scotland during group-stage matches. However, Evain noted that most PMAs do not publicly disclose their ticket allocations.
Concerns over accessibility and fairness
Evain also highlighted accessibility issues for fans with disabilities, claiming that the cheapest route to attend matches through to the final could cost $7,000, with full-price companion tickets potentially doubling the cost to $14,000.
FIFA has said PMAs are required to ensure that the lowest-priced tickets are allocated specifically to loyal supporters closely connected to their national teams. Reuters has sought a response from FIFA regarding the concerns raised by fan groups.
Despite criticism, FIFA reported strong demand during the third phase of ticket sales, which opened on December 11 and will run until January 13. Interest has been driven by the release of match schedules, venues, and kick-off times for the 2026 World Cup.
