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FIFA is increasingly deviating from its commitment to World Cup ticket prices. |
The 2026 World Cup hasn't even started yet, but it has already become the focus of controversy, after the BBC pointed out a clear discrepancy between promises and reality in FIFA's ticket pricing policy.
In its bid, the organization had committed to ensuring "affordable" pricing. However, what is happening is going in the complete opposite direction.
Ticket prices, especially for the finals, have far exceeded previously announced figures. From a ceiling of $1,550 , actual prices could reach nearly $11,000 in recent sales rounds.
Even lower-tier ticket classes saw significant increases, with third-class tickets rising by over 38%, and second-class tickets reaching over $7,000 . The flexible pricing model causes constant cost fluctuations, making it even more inaccessible to buyers.
Not only are the prices high, but the ticket sales process is also causing much frustration. FIFA has not fully disclosed the pricing structure and the list of matches for which tickets are on sale.
Fans were forced to queue online for hours without any guarantee of getting tickets. The BBC noted many cases of people waiting for more than 6 hours, and even experiencing system errors that forced them to start queuing again from the beginning.
Ticket supply was also limited. Only about half of the group stage matches were initially available for purchase, and major teams were absent. This made the ticket-buying experience less transparent and unpredictable.
On the official resale market, prices are pushed even higher. Final tickets can fetch over $80,000 , while FIFA still receives a 30% commission on these transactions.
These developments have led many fan organizations to call it a "betrayal" of fans. With travel costs potentially exceeding 10,000 euros, the World Cup, once the stage of mass football, is gradually becoming a luxury event.
Source: https://znews.vn/loi-noi-doi-cua-fifa-post1640384.html
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