• FIFA's latest World Cup ticket prices spark outrage among fans.
• Football Supporters Europe claims prices are up to five times higher than 2022.
• Calls for FIFA to halt ticket sales until a fair solution is found.
• Fans warn costs could lead to 'Corporate Games', alienating ordinary supporters.
• Pricing structures are deemed a 'monumental betrayal' of World Cup traditions.

Football fans have accused FIFA of a "monumental betrayal" regarding ticket prices for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, with many labeling the prices as "extortionate". According to the Football Supporters Europe (FSE), tickets for the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico are priced significantly higher than during the Qatar 2022 tournament, with costs reaching up to $9,000 for premium final seats. The FSE has called for an immediate halt to ticket sales via national associations, citing that these prices will exclude ordinary fans from the event, overshadowing what should be a celebration of football, according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, and Africa News.

The price increase has left many supporters incredulous, with analyses suggesting that obtaining a ticket for every match from the group stage to the final could cost upwards of $6,900—a five-fold increase from the previous World Cup costs. This pricing disparity highlights a significant shift from FIFA's earlier promises of affordable tickets, such as the projected minimum price of $21 per ticket aimed at ensuring accessibility. In their statement, the FSE described FIFA's pricing model as a "scandalous" reflection of the governing body's priorities, according to South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

Supporters have voiced concerns about the lack of affordable options, particularly for families and smaller nations whose ticket prices now exceed average monthly wages. Supporters from countries such as Haiti and Ghana have expressed "anger and disappointment," noting that attending the tournament may now be financially out of reach, leading them to cancel long-held dreams of attending the World Cup. Ghanaian fans articulated their dismay as they face a ticket pricing structure that effectively sidelines lower-income fans from participation, according to BBC.

Furthermore, the introduction of dynamic pricing is expected to exacerbate the situation, as prices for the same match can vary significantly based on factors that have not been clearly outlined by FIFA. This has created a perception of inequity among fans. The Football Supporters' Association has joined the call for FIFA to reconsider its ticketing policies, urging immediate engagement with fan groups to ensure a more equitable pricing structure that respects the spirit of the game and accessibility to all fans, as noted in BBC and BBC.

As ticket sales are set to continue, fans remain resolute in their demand for transparency and fairness in ticket pricing. They argue that current trends threaten to turn the tournament into what some critics are dubbed the "Corporate Games," leaving ordinary supporters—including those vital for creating the tournament's atmosphere—on the sidelines. Such shifts could have lasting impacts on the World Cup's reputation as a global, inclusive sporting event, as echoed by many national associations and fan organizations, according to Africa News, Channel News Asia, and Al Jazeera.