World Cup 2026 ticket prices: What fans are paying and why FIFA defends the costs

WORLD Cup 2026 ticket prices have sparked anger among fans, but FIFA president Gianni Infantino insists the revenue is essential to keep football alive across the globe.

Fan groups criticised the sky-high prices, forcing FIFA to introduce a lower-priced tier of tickets at $60 (around R1,013) for every match. Still, many supporters are facing eye-watering costs, with the cheapest standard ticket for next year’s final set at $4,200 (R70,443), a significant increase from the previous tournament.

Ticket costs remain steep for key matches

For the opening match against Mexico, Category Three tickets start at $1,020 (about R17,000), Category Two at $1,705 (R28,500), and Category One at $2,365 (R39,600). Group matches, such as the fixture in Atlanta against South Korea, are more affordable, with Category Three tickets priced at $140 (R2,345). 

Prices rise again in the knockout rounds, with the cheapest final ticket costing over R70,000.

FIFA defends pricing as necessary for global football

Speaking at the World Sports Summit in Dubai, Infantino said the high demand shows the World Cup’s global popularity. “Without FIFA, there would be no football in 150 countries in the world. There is football because, and thanks to, these revenues we generate with, and from, the World Cup, which we reinvest all over the world.”

He highlighted the massive ticket demand, noting: “We have six-seven million tickets on sale … in 15 days, we received 150 million ticket requests. So, 10 million ticket requests every single day. It shows how powerful the World Cup is.”

Infantino added perspective on the tournament’s history: “In the almost 100 years of history of the World Cup, FIFA has sold 44 million tickets in total. So, in two weeks ... we could've filled 300 years of World Cups. Imagine that. This is absolutely crazy.”

Revenue used to support football globally

Infantino stressed that funds generated from ticket sales are reinvested into football worldwide. “What’s crucial is that the revenues that are generated from this are going back to the game all over the world.”

The FIFA World Cup 2026, the first edition with 48 teams, is already showing unprecedented demand. According to Infantino, more than 150 million tickets were requested in the first 15 days — 30 times oversubscribed — reflecting fan interest from over 200 countries.

Balancing affordability with record revenue

To address backlash, FIFA launched a $60 (around R1,080) Supporter Entry Tier for every game, making it the lowest-priced option for attending matches in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. FIFA says the tier aims to give more fans access, while the overall ticket revenue remains critical for the sport’s development.

“This overwhelming response from passionate fans is a true representation of how our game is loved globally — we are going to make history in North America when we bring the world together like never before in a celebration of unity and the best of football,” Infantino said.