Fans hit by eye-watering World Cup prices

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

With the men’s World Cup in North America just 45 days away, anticipation is building fast. Alongside the excitement, a more uncomfortable question is taking hold among supporters: can ordinary fans still afford football’s biggest stage?.

The 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, was originally promoted as one of the most accessible World Cups ever. That promise is now under serious strain as ticket prices climb far beyond what many expected.

The shift became clear after FIFA released ticket allocations through its Participating Member Association system, which was meant to prioritise loyal national team fans. Instead, many supporters were hit with sticker shock. Reports suggest that following a team from the group stages through to the final could cost over $20,000 per person in some cases, while single tickets for the final are already listed for up to approximately $10,990.

Fan groups have reacted strongly. Football Supporters Europe called the prices “astonishing” and “extortionate,” warning that long-time supporters risk being pushed out of the tournament they helped build. The Football Supporters’ Association in England said the system now appears tilted toward wealthy tourists and corporate buyers rather than travelling fans.

Pressure has grown further on FIFA’s official resale platform. Final tickets at MetLife Stadium have reached extreme levels. Some listings show four Category 1 seats at around $2.3 million each, which is over $9 million in total. Even more striking, similar prices appear in upper-tier Category 3 sections, suggesting the problem is not limited to premium seats.

FIFA says the pricing reflects record global demand and insists the system is transparent and secure. It also points to lower-cost tickets, with some group-stage seats starting around $60, arguing that tiered pricing is designed to keep the tournament accessible across different budgets.

But fans on the ground describe a different reality. Cheap tickets are limited, sell out quickly, and are often replaced by long queues and inflated resale prices, especially for knockout matches in major US cities.

Comparisons are already being drawn with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which many travelling fans found more affordable, despite its own controversies. That contrast has deepened concerns about where football is heading.

As FIFA highlights record demand and strong early sales, a broader question is taking shape in parallel about who the World Cup is ultimately for. For many supporters, the answer feels less certain than ever.