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FIFA Under Fire: Ticket Prices Soar for 2026 World Cup
10 Jun
Summary
- 2026 World Cup tickets are the most expensive in tournament history.
- Premium final seats are priced at nearly $16,000, six times higher than 2022.
- A former FIFA official calls the pricing strategy 'profit-driven'.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being criticized for its unprecedentedly high ticket prices, with some premium seats for the final reportedly costing nearly $16,000. This dramatic increase, six times the price of equivalent tickets in 2022, has led to concerns that the sport is becoming elitist. A former FIFA official, Miguel Poiares Maduro, voiced these criticisms, stating that FIFA's structure inherently prioritizes profit over fan accessibility.
Maduro, who was once tasked with improving FIFA's governance, highlighted a conflict of interest where FIFA acts as both a regulator and a commercial entity. He believes this dual role inevitably leads the organization to prioritize maximizing income over ensuring broad fan participation in matches. The upcoming 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, will be the largest ever, featuring 48 nations and an expanded roster of 1,248 players.
The first match of the global tournament is scheduled for June 11, 2026, with Mexico facing South Africa in Mexico City. This expanded format aims to include more teams and players than any previous World Cup edition.
