2026 World Cup Tickets: FIFA Announce Controversial Change

FIFA are set to use “dynamic pricing” for 2026 FIFA World Cup tickets, and the most expensive tickets to the final are currently priced at a staggering $6,730. There are still nine months until the tournament kicks off in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

A FIFA official confirmed the current ticket prices and gave a figure for both the cheapest group-stage seats and the most expensive tickets for the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The report from The Athletic also clarified how fans can purchase tickets.

FIFA’s Variable Pricing For 2026 World Cup Tickets

The cheapest tickets for group-stage games are valued at $60, although it is noted that this is “subject to change once sales begin in October.” The announcement regarding dynamic pricing, also known as “variable pricing,” was made during a Zoom call between a FIFA official and reporters on Wednesday.

It was suggested that the current ticket prices are likely to change before and after the next draw for the World Cup on December 5th, which will decide group-stage matchups, dates and locations.

The process will start with an initial ticket phase that opens on September 10th, which gives fans the opportunity to apply to purchase tickets (using a VISA card). Those randomly selected can then buy a maximum of 40 (up to four per match, up to 10 matches in a specific time slot in October).

A second phase takes place from late October until early December to give those without a VISA card the chance to obtain tickets. This will include another lottery phase before a first-come, first-served phase after the draw on December 5th.

How Will Ticket Pricing And Seating Work?

There will be four separate categories that will dictate ticket prices, with Category 1 being the most expensive and Category 4 the least expensive. Initial prices have yet to be determined, while one FIFA official responded to queries over Category 1, 2, and 3 for group-stage matches by claiming that those “numbers weren’t set”.

There was also no confirmation given on how many of the $60 tickets will be available or what percentage of a given stadium will be considered “Category 4” seats, although this percentage is suggested not to be insignificant.

The general categorisation for allocating seating in stadiums is Category 1 (lower bowl), Category 2 (second deck) , Category 3 and 4 (upper deck). Fans can purchase tickets in each category without knowing which section or row they will be assigned and they can’t choose specific seats.

The FIFA official pointed out that the $60 price was just a “starting point” and that “we will apply variable pricing from Day 1 of the process.” This could result in prices either rising or falling during presale through October 21, with fans having until September 19 to apply.

Cristiano Ronaldo (40) and Lionel Messi (38) are set to make their final appearances at a World Cup.

Dynamic pricing was used for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup earlier this summer and saw FIFA overestimate the demand for tickets, leading to a significant decrease in prices. Some of the competition’s group-stage games saw poor attendance numbers, which FIFA rushed to rectify.

The continuation of using this approach for the World Cup will, as an official put it, ‘allow FIFA to maximise revenues and attendance.” It is expected that the tournament will rake in $3 billion from hospitality and ticket sales and break the previous World Cup attendance record, also held in the United States back in 1994.

Fans slam FIFA’s 2026 World Cup ticket selling approach

Fans have strongly criticised FIFA’s approach to using dynamic pricing to sell tickets for next summer’s World Cup. They responded to the report dropped by The Athletic.

One fan responded by stating that it:“Should be illegal.”

Another football supporter was bemused:

“Someone needs to turn the entire football world off and on again. Starting with FIFA.”

One added:

“Shocking. Another dark day for fans.”

Another disagreed with predictions over matching the 1998 World Cup attendance records:

“This is probably gonna be the worst World Cup attendance of all time.”

One fan explained why FIFA should copy UEFA’s ticketing approach:

“FIFA need to look at UEFA for their tournament pricing. ‘Fan first’ tickets behind the goal very affordable (£30 for group stage and £80 for final) at last few Euros. Means actual fans can attend. Helps atmosphere etc too.”

There will be 17 different locations in three regions that host the World Cup next summer across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Fans attending several matches will have to fork out hefty travel fees to commute around the North American countries, visiting stadiums such as AT&T Stadium (Dallas), Estadio Banorte (Mexico City) and BC Pace (Vancouver).