Geneva, 17 Dec 

FIFA has slashed the prices of some World Cup tickets following a global backlash from fans, offering seats priced at USD 60 for every match, including the final, to supporters of participating teams, instead of prices that previously went as high as USD 4,185.

The decision marks a rare retreat by FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino, who has faced mounting criticism over World Cup strategies that include premium pricing and closer political alignment with US President Donald Trump.

Under the revised policy, FIFA said USD 60 tickets will be allocated to national football federations for each game, which will then distribute them to loyal fans who regularly attend home and away matches. Between 400 and 750 tickets per team per match are expected to fall under what FIFA has termed a “Supporter Entry Tier.”

The 2026 World Cup will be staged across 16 host cities, with 11 venues in the United States and others in Canada and Mexico. FIFA did not directly explain the timing of the price shift, but said the move was “designed to further support travelling fans following their national teams across the tournament.”

However, the Football Supporters Europe (FSE) group dismissed the move as insufficient. Calling it an “appeasement tactic due to the global negative backlash,” the group said, “This shows that FIFA's ticketing policy is not set in stone, was decided in a rush, and without proper consultation.”

The expanded 48-team tournament is projected to generate at least USD 10 billion in revenue for FIFA and is expected to be the most expensive World Cup ever for fans. Despite criticism, FIFA said it has already received more than 20 million ticket requests during the latest sales phase.

FSE maintained that even with the reduced tier, “the vast majority would still have to pay extortionate prices, way higher than at any tournament before.”

Fans had reacted angrily after FIFA’s initial pricing plans excluded team supporters from the cheapest ticket category, despite earlier promises by host nations of widespread, affordable access. Additional criticism focused on dynamic pricing, resale fees, delayed refunds, and access issues for fans with disabilities.

In another concession, FIFA said it would waive administrative fees on ticket refunds after the July 19 final. Still, supporter groups urged FIFA to move beyond symbolic gestures, stressing that “true inclusion requires action.”