FIFA has performed a rare U-turn by slashing the price of select World Cup tickets for loyal fans following a massive global backlash. In a dramatic climbdown, some supporters will now be able to secure $60 seats for the final instead of the originally quoted $4,185.
The governing body confirmed that these $60 tickets will be available for every game of the 104-match tournament across North America. However, the offer is strictly reserved for the national federations of competing teams, who will decide how to distribute them to "loyal fans" with proven attendance records. Bermudian fans are not initially eligible for this specific tier as Bermuda did not qualify for the tournament.
While FIFA stated the lower prices are "designed to further support travelling fans," the move follows a week of intense criticism. Fan groups, including Football Supporters Europe, had previously labeled the original pricing structure a "monumental betrayal," noting that costs for the 2026 edition were nearly five times higher than those for Qatar 2022.
The 2026 World Cup will be a historic first, featuring:
48 teams competing, up from the traditional 32.
A record-breaking 104 matches held across 16 host cities.
Projected revenues for FIFA exceeding $10 billion.
The backlash was fueled by a perceived breach of trust regarding the original bid. When the United States, Canada, and Mexico won the hosting rights eight years ago, they pledged that hundreds of thousands of tickets would be available for as little as $21.
Instead, fans were met last week with group-stage prices ranging from $120 to $265 for non-host matches. Even with the new $60 "Supporter Entry Tier," critics argue it is merely an "appeasement tactic," as these tickets will reportedly only make up roughly 10% of each national federation’s small allocation.
The random selection draw for all ticket categories remains open until January 13th 2026.
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