FIFA has announced the introduction of a new £45 ($60) ticket category for the 2026 World Cup, marking a significant shift in its pricing strategy after widespread criticism from fans’ groups, football associations, and politicians. The move is being positioned by FIFA as an attempt to make the tournament more accessible, particularly for loyal supporters of teams that have qualified for the competition.

The 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, will be the largest in history, featuring 104 matches. While demand for tickets has reached unprecedented levels, concerns over affordability have dominated discussions since FIFA released its initial pricing structure earlier this month.

A Response to Growing Criticism

Under FIFA’s original ticketing plan, fans faced the prospect of paying thousands of pounds to follow their national teams through the tournament. Supporters’ organizations described the prices as excessive, warning that ordinary fans risked being priced out of what is meant to be football’s most inclusive global event.

Following intense backlash, FIFA confirmed that a limited number of tickets for every match will now be available in a new “supporter entry tier”, priced at £45. According to FIFA, this decision was made after listening to feedback from stakeholders and was unanimously approved during internal discussions.

A senior FIFA official involved in the talks said the governing body acknowledged concerns from fans and national associations, stating that the new category represents “the right thing to do” in response to criticism.

Who Will Be Eligible for the £45 Tickets?

The newly introduced £45 tickets will make up 10% of each participating nation’s ticket allocation. These tickets will be distributed exclusively through Participating Member Associations (PMAs), such as national football associations, rather than through general public sales.

Each association will be responsible for setting its own eligibility criteria, with FIFA urging them to prioritize loyal supporters who have a close and demonstrable connection to their national teams. In total, FIFA says that 50% of each country’s allocation will now fall into its two lowest price categories:

• Supporter Value Tier – 40%
• Supporter Entry Tier – 10%

The remaining tickets will be divided between higher-priced standard and premium categories.

What This Means for England and Scotland Fans

For countries like England and Scotland, the impact of the new pricing tier will be limited in scale. Estimates suggest that around 400 to 450 tickets per group-stage match will be available at the £45 price point for each of these teams.

While this represents only a small fraction of the total allocation, officials at the Football Association (FA) reportedly view the change as progress, particularly given the North American market and the scale of the tournament.

FA officials are now working to determine how these tickets will be distributed fairly, especially as the number of fans considered “most loyal” significantly exceeds the number of affordable tickets available. An announcement on the allocation process is expected soon.

Mixed Reactions from Supporters’ Groups

Despite FIFA’s claims of progress, fan organizations across Europe have delivered a mixed response. The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) described the announcement as largely symbolic, arguing that a small number of cheaper tickets does little to address the broader issue of affordability.

According to the FSA, following a team such as England all the way to the final under the original pricing structure could have cost supporters more than £5,000, excluding travel and accommodation. Critics argue that reducing prices for only a fraction of tickets does not solve the underlying problem.

Similarly, Football Supporters Europe (FSE) welcomed FIFA’s apparent acknowledgment of fan concerns but said the changes fall short of what is needed to protect the interests of traveling supporters. The group has also highlighted the absence of clear pricing policies for supporters with disabilities, calling for further dialogue.

Political and Public Reaction

The announcement has also drawn attention at the political level. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the introduction of the cheaper tickets but urged FIFA to go further. He emphasized the importance of keeping the World Cup accessible to genuine supporters, warning that the tournament risks losing touch with the fans who give it its unique atmosphere.

Public debate has intensified as ticket prices for later rounds remain extremely high. Quarter-final, semi-final, and final tickets are priced far above previous World Cups, with the cheapest seats for the final reportedly several times more expensive than equivalent tickets at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Record Demand and FIFA’s Justification

FIFA has defended its overall pricing strategy by pointing to extraordinary demand. Officials say more than 20 million ticket requests have already been submitted during the current sales phase, underscoring the commercial strength of the tournament.

The governing body has also cited the unique nature of the North American market, particularly in the United States, where ticket resale platforms are widely used. FIFA maintains that a financially successful World Cup allows it to reinvest revenue into football development across all 211 member associations, including those in less wealthy regions.

Ongoing Debate Over Accessibility

While the £45 ticket tier represents a notable concession, many fans remain unconvinced that it will meaningfully improve access to the 2026 World Cup. With no concessions announced for children or other groups, and with the majority of tickets still priced at premium levels, concerns persist that the tournament atmosphere could suffer as traditional traveling supporters are replaced by wealthier spectators.

As national associations finalize their allocation plans, the debate over affordability, fairness, and the role of fans in football’s biggest event is set to continue.