Soccer fans have expressed outrage over the latest World Cup ticket prices, which have been described as “extortionate” by fan organization Football Supporters Europe (FSE). The governing body, FIFA, allocates 8% of tickets for games involving national teams to associations for sale to loyal fans. However, a list published by the German soccer federation revealed prices ranging from $180 to $700 for group-stage games, with the lowest final price at $4,185 and the highest at $8,680.
These prices differ significantly from FIFA’s initial claims of $60 tickets being available. When the United States bid for the tournament seven years ago, the target was to offer hundreds of thousands of $21 seats during the opening phase. FSE has called the current prices a “monumental betrayal” of the World Cup’s tradition, ignoring the contribution of supporters to the event.
The English Football Association shared pricing information with the England Supporters Travel Club, showing that buying a ticket for every game through to the final would cost over $7,000. FIFA had announced that tickets would initially range from $60 for group-stage matches to $6,730 for the final, but these prices are subject to change due to dynamic pricing.
The ticket sales process has entered its third phase, with fans now able to apply for specific matches through FIFA’s “Random Selection Draw.” The draw opened on December 11 and will close on January 13, 2026. Fans can apply for a maximum of four tickets per household per match and a maximum of 40 tickets throughout the tournament. Successful applicants will be notified in February and charged automatically.
For context, the last time the US hosted the World Cup in 1994, prices ranged from $25 to $475. In Qatar in 2022, prices ranged from around $70 to $1,600 when ticket details were announced. Tickets for the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19 are already being resold for over $11,000 on secondary sites. FIFA has set up its own resale platform, charging a 15% fee based on the total resale price.
The controversy surrounding ticket prices has sparked a call for FIFA to halt ticket sales until a solution is found that respects the tradition and cultural significance of the World Cup. The FSE has urged FIFA to take immediate action to address the issue, which has left many fans feeling disappointed and excluded from the tournament. As the World Cup approaches, the debate over ticket prices is likely to continue, with fans and organizations advocating for more affordable and accessible options.