Football fans planning to experience the 2026 FIFA World Cup have something to smile about as world football’s governing body has announced a new, lower-priced ticket category aimed squarely at loyal supporters.
FIFA revealed on Tuesday that it has introduced “Supporter Entry Tier” tickets, priced at $60, following weeks of criticism over the high cost of attending the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
According to FIFA, the newly introduced tickets will be available for all 104 matches, including the final, and are specifically designed to make the competition more accessible to fans who travel to support their national teams.
“The initiative is designed to further support travelling fans following their national teams across the tournament,” FIFA said in a statement.
The football body explained that the $60 tickets will be reserved exclusively for supporters of qualified teams and will account for 10 percent of each national federation’s ticket allocation. National associations have also been asked to ensure that the tickets are allocated to loyal fans with a close connection to their teams.
The announcement comes after fan advocacy group Football Supporters Europe (FSE) criticised earlier ticket prices, describing them as “extortionate” and “astronomical”. FSE noted that prices for the 2026 tournament were nearly five times higher than those of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“If a supporter were to follow their team from the first match to the final it would cost them a minimum of $6,900,” the group had warned, while also pointing out that FIFA’s 2018 bid documents promised tickets starting from as low as $21.
In another fan-friendly move, FIFA said supporters who purchase knockout-stage tickets but later see their teams eliminated will have the administrative fee waived when refunds are processed.
The global appetite for World Cup tickets remains massive, with FIFA confirming that more than 20 million ticket requests have already been submitted worldwide.
The first ticket draw, covering all price categories, is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, January 13.
