FIFA has reduced ticket prices for loyal fans of World Cup teams in response to global criticism, offering $60 seats for the final instead of the original $4,185 price tag. This move comes after facing backlash over pricing strategies and perceived alignment with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The soccer governing body announced that $60 tickets will be allocated to national federations of participating teams, who will then distribute them to loyal fans with a history of attending matches. Each team is expected to have between 400 to 750 tickets available at this reduced price, categorized as “Supporter Entry Tier.”
The decision to lower prices was aimed at supporting traveling fans following their national teams throughout the tournament, according to FIFA. However, the Football Supporters Europe group criticized the move as a mere response to public outrage, highlighting the lack of proper consultation in the initial pricing strategy.
The upcoming World Cup in North America will feature 48 teams, up from the previous 32, and is projected to generate over $10 billion in revenue for FIFA, making it the most expensive edition for fans. Despite the high prices, FIFA has already received more than 20 million ticket requests in the latest sales phase.
Fans expressed shock and frustration last week over FIFA’s initial ticketing plans, which excluded participating teams from the lowest-priced category. Prices ranged from $140 to $265 for group-stage matches, with higher costs for games involving popular teams like Argentina, Portugal, Brazil, and England.
Criticism from European fans had been mounting over FIFA’s pricing strategies, including dynamic pricing and additional fees on a resale platform. Concerns were raised regarding loyal supporters’ access to affordable tickets and the refund process for reserved tickets.
In response to fan concerns, FIFA announced that it would waive administrative fees for refunds after the tournament’s final on July 19. Additionally, calls were made for a reevaluation of World Cup policies for fans with disabilities, particularly regarding ticket pricing and access to companion tickets.
The Football Supporters Europe group emphasized the importance of inclusive actions by FIFA, urging the organization to uphold its commitments to fans, especially those with disabilities.