Fans planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup should brace for record-breaking expenses, as ticket prices for the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada have soared to unprecedented levels.
The 2026 World Cup, featuring 48 teams across three host nations, is shaping up to be the most expensive World Cup in history.
FIFA’s newly introduced dynamic pricing system, used for the first time at a World Cup, has triggered sharp price hikes just days after ticket sales opened.
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Prices Surge Within Days
According to The Athletic, ticket prices surged within days of the first sales window. For the Round of 16 match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Category 1 tickets rose from $895 to $935, before climbing further to $980.
Similarly, prices for the fourth quarterfinal in Kansas City increased from $1,125 to $1,180 for Category 1 tickets, while Category 2 seats went up from $765 to $825.
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The quick adjustments, continued ticket availability after 48 hours of sales, and soaring resale listings suggest that some fans are willing to pay what others have called “astonishing” and “unacceptable” prices.
Limited Access for Fans
FIFA made about one million tickets, roughly 15% of the total inventory, available during the first sales phase. From a pool of approximately 4.5 million applicants, only a small fraction were randomly selected. Each buyer was limited to four tickets per match and a maximum of 40 tickets overall.
Reports indicate that ticket prices for at least nine matches were raised after just one full day of sales, as FIFA adjusted prices based on demand.
The cheapest ticket for the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, now starts at around $6,300, with resale listings exceeding $25,000, more than ten times what fans paid at Qatar 2022.
Fans and Analysts Condemn FIFA’s Move
The pricing surge has drawn widespread criticism from supporters and analysts, who accuse FIFA of prioritising profit over fan access.
“This is not ‘making football truly global’; this is the privatisation of what was once a tournament open to all,” said Ronan Evain, Executive Director of Football Supporters Europe. “FIFA seems unable to understand that it needs fans in the stands, the life, the atmosphere, the colours, the diversity.”
Infantino Defends Dynamic Pricing
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the pricing model, citing examples where dynamic pricing helped lower costs at the 2023 Club World Cup in the U.S.
“For us, the important element is to fill stadiums and give opportunities to people to come,” Infantino said.
However, many fans argue that such reassurances offer little comfort, especially after paying top dollar for less competitive group-stage matches.
Opening Match Ticket Breakdown
Ticket prices for the opening matches highlight the growing disparity:
Mexico’s opener: $370 – $1,825
Canada’s opener: $355 – $1,745
United States’ opener: $560 – $2,735
As excitement builds for the 2026 tournament, fans are paying heavily just for a chance to attend, even without knowing which teams they’ll see.
A Tournament for the Wealthy?
Critics warn that the 2026 World Cup risks becoming a tournament for the wealthy, alienating the passionate core supporters who bring energy and atmosphere to football’s biggest event.
With prices continuing to rise ahead of the December 5 group-stage draw, the 2026 World Cup is poised to be both the largest and most expensive tournament in FIFA’s history.
