FIFA has introduced limited £45 tickets for the 2026 World Cup after fan backlash, with allocations set for loyal supporters through national federations.
FIFA has announced the introduction of a limited number of £45 tickets for the 2026 World Cup, following intense criticism over its original pricing model. The new option applies to all 104 matches across the tournament. It marks a partial reversal after widespread fan anger and political pressure.
The tickets fall under a newly created Supporter Entry Tier, priced at $60 or £45. FIFA says the move is designed to help loyal fans attend matches involving their national teams. Distribution will be handled by participating member associations rather than open public sales.
Under FIFA’s revised framework, 10 percent of each national association’s ticket allocation will be priced at the new entry tier. A further 40 percent will fall into the existing Supporter Value Tier. The remaining tickets will be split between standard and premium supporter categories.
For nations like England and Scotland, this means roughly 400 tickets per group match will be available at £45. For the final, around 450 of the 4,500 tickets allocated to each finalist will be sold at the lowest price. There will be no concessions for children or disabled supporters announced at this stage.
The decision follows a strong backlash after ticket prices were revealed earlier this month. Fans discovered that following a team from the group stage to the final could cost more than £5,000. The cheapest final tickets were priced above £3,000, seven times higher than at Qatar 2022.
Supporter groups described the prices as extortionate and disconnected from football culture. Football Supporters Europe and the Football Supporters’ Association both urged FIFA to halt ticket sales. Meetings with senior FIFA officials were held in Doha to address the growing criticism.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the announcement but urged FIFA to go further. Fan groups were more sceptical in their response. The FSA labelled the move a hollow gesture that benefits only a small minority of supporters.
FIFA insists the change reflects listening to feedback. Officials have pointed to more than 20 million ticket requests already submitted during the current sales phase. Demand, they argue, remains extremely high across all host nations.
The controversy was amplified by FIFA’s wider financial announcements. The organisation confirmed a record $727m prize fund for the tournament, with winners set to earn $50m. That contrast fuelled criticism that affordability was not a genuine priority.
Dynamic pricing, resale fees, and the lack of early low-cost options added to supporter frustration. Several federations privately warned that atmosphere and travelling support would suffer. The £45 tier is seen as a response to that pressure rather than a full solution.
National associations must now decide how to identify eligible supporters. Many face the challenge of demand far exceeding supply among their most loyal fans. Application criteria and timelines are expected to be announced in the coming days.
The 2026 World Cup begins on June 11th and will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Ticket applications under the random selection draw remain open until January 13th, 2026. Successful applicants will be notified in February.
