The Football Supporters Europe (FSE) and Euroconsumers have lodged a formal complaint with the European Commission against FIFA for high ticket prices at the upcoming World Cup 2026, starting on June 11. FSE accuses FIFA of setting prices beyond the reach of ordinary fans, even after introducing some $60 tickets for all 104 matches in response to criticism. However, FSE claims these affordable tickets were scarce and sold out quickly.
The complaint demands FIFA to drop dynamic pricing and maintain prices for the April ticket release. It also calls for improved transparency in ticket sales, including a 48-hour notice of availability in each category. FSE emphasizes the importance of respecting fans’ rights in both primary and secondary ticket markets.
FSE criticized FIFA for significantly higher final ticket prices compared to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The cheapest final tickets for 2026 start at $4,185, over seven times the cost of the 2022 final tickets. Euroconsumers’ Litigation Head, Marco Scialdone, condemned FIFA’s pricing strategies as exploitative, urging the European Commission to intervene before the tournament begins.
FIFA reports nearly seven million tickets available for the World Cup 2026, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. With 48 teams and 104 matches, this tournament marks the largest World Cup yet, but ticket prices remain a concern for many fans.
