Fifa's World Cup Ticket Prices: A Betrayal of the Beautiful Game
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, fans are bracing themselves for the astronomical ticket prices that Fifa has in store. The most expensive ticket available will cost a staggering £3,120, seven times more than the cheapest ticket to last year's final in Qatar. This is not just a matter of inflation; it's a brazen attempt by the World Cup governing body to price out its own fans and further entrench its autocratic grip on the sport.
The reasoning behind this is clear: Fifa wants to make as much money as possible from the tournament, regardless of the impact on its most vulnerable supporters. And what better way to do so than to sell them out to the highest bidder? By catering to the interests of wealthy sponsors and autocrats, Fifa is further eroding the very foundations of football itself.
This is not a new phenomenon; Fifa has long been criticized for its cozy relationships with authoritarian regimes. The organisation's recent decision to partner with US President Donald Trump on various projects only serves to highlight this trend. Infantino's bromance with Trump is just one example of Fifa's willingness to do whatever it takes to maintain its power and influence.
But what's most disturbing about this is the effect it has on fans themselves. The cost of attending a World Cup match can be prohibitively expensive, pricing out all but the wealthiest supporters. This is not just an economic issue; it's also a matter of principle. Football should be for everyone, regardless of their background or income. But Fifa's actions suggest that this is no longer the case.
The only way to prevent this further degradation of football is through collective action. Fans must band together to demand change and push back against Fifa's attempts to silence them. This will require a concerted effort from supporters' unions, fan groups, and advocacy organisations around the world.
As Marina Hyde so astutely observed, "there is simply no one who cares less than Infantino, and simply no sport that hates its fans quite as much as football." It's time for Fifa to listen to its own fans and reclaim the sport it was meant to serve: a celebration of community, camaraderie, and athletic achievement – not just a playground for autocrats and wealthy elites.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, fans are bracing themselves for the astronomical ticket prices that Fifa has in store. The most expensive ticket available will cost a staggering £3,120, seven times more than the cheapest ticket to last year's final in Qatar. This is not just a matter of inflation; it's a brazen attempt by the World Cup governing body to price out its own fans and further entrench its autocratic grip on the sport.
The reasoning behind this is clear: Fifa wants to make as much money as possible from the tournament, regardless of the impact on its most vulnerable supporters. And what better way to do so than to sell them out to the highest bidder? By catering to the interests of wealthy sponsors and autocrats, Fifa is further eroding the very foundations of football itself.
This is not a new phenomenon; Fifa has long been criticized for its cozy relationships with authoritarian regimes. The organisation's recent decision to partner with US President Donald Trump on various projects only serves to highlight this trend. Infantino's bromance with Trump is just one example of Fifa's willingness to do whatever it takes to maintain its power and influence.
But what's most disturbing about this is the effect it has on fans themselves. The cost of attending a World Cup match can be prohibitively expensive, pricing out all but the wealthiest supporters. This is not just an economic issue; it's also a matter of principle. Football should be for everyone, regardless of their background or income. But Fifa's actions suggest that this is no longer the case.
The only way to prevent this further degradation of football is through collective action. Fans must band together to demand change and push back against Fifa's attempts to silence them. This will require a concerted effort from supporters' unions, fan groups, and advocacy organisations around the world.
As Marina Hyde so astutely observed, "there is simply no one who cares less than Infantino, and simply no sport that hates its fans quite as much as football." It's time for Fifa to listen to its own fans and reclaim the sport it was meant to serve: a celebration of community, camaraderie, and athletic achievement – not just a playground for autocrats and wealthy elites.