England fans eager to attend the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico can now access tickets for £45, following a significant climbdown by FIFA. This decision comes after widespread criticism of the initial pricing structure, which was deemed "extortionate" and a "monumental betrayal" of fans.
The newly introduced "Supporter Entry Tier" offers a fixed price of $60 (approximately £45) per ticket for all 104 matches, including the final. This initiative aims to make the tournament more affordable for traveling fans who want to support their national teams. FIFA's move follows concerns raised by various football associations, including the English FA, regarding the original pricing model.
However, accessing these discounted tickets won't be easy. Only 10% of each participating member association's (PMA) allocation will be available at the £45 price point. The PMA allocation equates to 8% of the stadium capacity per country per match; therefore, less than 1% of the total stadium capacity will be sold at the lower price. For example, the FA had just over 4,000 tickets for the opening match against Croatia, meaning only about 400 fans could benefit from this new pricing.
The selection and distribution process will be managed individually by each PMA, such as the FA. These associations will define their own eligibility criteria and application process, with a request from FIFA to prioritize loyal fans closely connected to their national teams. In total, 50% of each PMA allocation will fall within the most affordable range, namely the Supporter Value Tier (40%) and the Supporter Entry Tier (10%).
While the move has been welcomed by some, many feel it doesn't go far enough. Football Supporters Europe (FSE) criticized the revisions as insufficient, pointing out the lack of a pricing structure for disabled fans or complementary companion tickets. Similarly, Prime Minister Keir Starmer encouraged FIFA to further improve affordability to ensure the World Cup remains accessible to genuine supporters.
The initial outrage stemmed from the exorbitant prices for the tournament, with the cheapest tickets for England's opener against Croatia starting at £200 and the minimum cost to follow the team to the final exceeding £5,000. This significant increase compared to previous World Cups led to accusations of FIFA betraying fans.
Despite the limited availability of £45 tickets, the change in policy is seen as a victory for fan power. The intense backlash and threat of boycotts forced FIFA to reconsider its pricing strategy. However, with demand already reaching 20 million ticket requests, securing these cheaper tickets will likely be highly competitive.
