The excitement for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is undeniable, with fans from over 200 countries flooding the application system for seats at the first-ever 48-team tournament. But behind the celebratory headlines from FIFA, a furious backlash is mounting over the cost of admission, proving that the price of global football dominance is soaring far beyond the average fan's reach.
The Record-Shattering Demand
FIFA's reported figure of five million requests in 24 hours showcases the massive global pull of the tournament:
Global Reach: Requests poured in from over 200 countries and territories, led by the three host nations (US, Canada, Mexico), followed by countries like Colombia, England, Ecuador, and Brazil.
Most Wanted Fixtures: Early demand is concentrated on high-profile group-stage clashes, with Colombia vs. Portugal (Miami) emerging as the most sought-after ticket, a fixture likely fueled by the desire to see a final World Cup run from Cristiano Ronaldo.
Expansion Appeal: The sheer scale of the 48-team tournament, spanning 16 host cities, is clearly driving unprecedented interest.
The Price Backlash: Five Times the Cost of Qatar
Despite the massive demand, fan organizations across Europe have launched a unified campaign against the ticket pricing, accusing FIFA of prioritizing profit over supporters.
"Extortionate" Prices: Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has called on FIFA to immediately halt ticket sales, labeling the prices as "extortionate" and a "monumental betrayal" of the World Cup's tradition of universality.
Cost Hike: According to price lists provided by various national football associations, the cost of tickets has dramatically inflated compared to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar—in some cases, increasing by up to five times.
The Final: The cheapest seats for the World Cup final have been reported to cost over $4,000, with Category 1 tickets soaring beyond $8,000—prices that are prohibitively expensive before considering travel and accommodation across the massive North American continent.
Scalping and Scrutiny
Adding to the controversy is the pricing structure itself. While FIFA has reportedly backed away from dynamic pricing in some phases, critics point to the "uncapped" official resale platform that the governing body is operating in the unregulated US and Canadian markets.
FIFA as Scalper: Fan groups have accused FIFA of benefiting from "scalping" by taking a substantial commission (up to 30% combined from buyer and seller) on secondary market transactions, rather than imposing caps seen in previous tournaments.
The Original Promise: Reports show a staggering discrepancy between the prices being charged and the figures promised in the initial bid document. The cheapest group stage seats are reportedly costing over ten times the price originally modelled in the bid.
The 2026 World Cup is set to be the biggest, most profitable, and most logistically challenging tournament in history. But as fans clamor for tickets, the rising cost of their passion is raising serious questions about who the World Cup is truly for: the global audience or the global balance sheet.
Do you think FIFA will face enough pressure to revise the ticket prices, or will the record demand ensure their current strategy remains unchanged?