FIFA receives five million requests despite fan outcry over high prices

Early demand is driven by high-profile group stage matches; The Colombia-Portugal match played in Miami on June 27 was the most searched match so far during the random selection draw period.

Brazil-Morocco (New York/New Jersey, June 13), Mexico-South Korea (Guadalajara, June 18), Ecuador-Germany (New York/New Jersey, June 25) and Scotland-Brazil (Miami, June 24) are among the top five.

FIFA said the strong presence of South American and Central American fans showed how the tournament had captured the imagination in the Americas, while Scotland’s position reflected the excitement around the World Cup being held for the first time in 28 years.

The random selection draw phase will run until January 13 and FIFA has emphasized that the timing of the application within this window will not affect the chances of success.

Fans will be able to select specific matches, ticket categories and quantities based on household limits and will be automatically charged if their application is successful.

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‘A tremendous betrayal’

FSE said national team fans were asked to pay the full amount in early 2026 to secure the right to purchase tickets until the final.

Adding to the fans’ disappointment, the FSE said that the lowest price category (category 4) would not be offered to the most loyal fans through their association, while FIFA reserved these tickets for sales to the general public and subjected them to dynamic pricing.

The group described the decision as a “tremendous betrayal” of the World Cup tradition and the contribution traveling fans make to the tournament atmosphere.

“We are a bit surprised by the prices set by FIFA,” FSE chief executive Ronan Evain told Reuters.

“This is a bunch of people trying to make as much money as possible from the tournament, and we believe this approach puts the nature of the tournament at risk.”

“Tickets for the final go for about $4,000. You need fans, you need life in the stands, you need color, you need atmosphere. None of that will happen at these prices.”

The Football Supporters’ Association, an organization that represents fans in England and Wales, said it had asked the FA to lobby FIFA.

“England’s matches are priced among the highest, priced at US$7020 if you want to follow the team from start to finish,” he said in a statement.

“We support European Football Fans in calling for a halt to ticket sales and call on the FA to work with other FAs to directly tackle these shameful prices.”

No consistent prices

The FSE said that for the first time in a World Cup there will be no consistent prices for all group stage matches, with FIFA instead introducing variable pricing based on vague concepts such as the “attractiveness” of a fixture.

This means fans of different teams may pay different amounts for the same category of tickets at the same stage, and there can be little transparency about how prices are determined.

Evain said the new structure will push many casual fans, especially families, beyond what they can afford.

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“Many people who were hesitant to travel to the US are now saying they must take an extraordinary financial risk, especially if you are a family,” he said.

“For a family of four, we’re around $30,000. The vast majority of football fans can’t afford that. Even in Europe.”

FSE called on FIFA to halt PMA ticket sales and hold consultations with member associations, fan groups and other stakeholders “until a solution that respects the tradition, universality and cultural significance of the World Cup is found.”