FIFA has revised its World Cup ticket pricing policy after sustained protests from fan groups and national football associations, announcing a new low-cost ticket category aimed at supporters who were previously priced out of the tournament.
Under the revised arrangement, 10 per cent of each Participating Member Association (PMA) ticket allocation for every World Cup match—including the final in New Jersey—will now be sold at a reduced price of $60.
The decision follows widespread criticism after loyal national team supporters discovered that the cheapest PMA tickets for the World Cup final were being sold for more than $4,000, triggering accusations that FIFA had abandoned its traditional commitment to accessible pricing.
Fan Pressure Forces Policy Shift
The change comes after high-level meetings between FIFA officials and football federations in Doha, where concerns over affordability and fan access dominated discussions. The FIFA Council is expected to formally consider the issue when it meets in Qatar on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
Fan organisations, including Football Supporters Europe (FSE), had strongly condemned the original pricing model, describing it as a “monumental betrayal” of loyal supporters and calling for the suspension of the PMA ticket allocation process.
High Demand, Limited Access
A FIFA official involved in the discussions acknowledged that ticket demand for the tournament has been unprecedented, with more than 20 million requests recorded in the latest sales phase.
“Demand for tickets has been off the scale,” the official said. “We have listened to feedback, and this new category is the right thing to do.”
The official added that national football associations will be responsible for determining how the reduced-price tickets are distributed among supporters.
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Concerns Over Inclusion Remain
Despite welcoming the pricing adjustment, supporter groups have raised concerns about transparency and inclusivity. FSE and its Disability and Inclusion Fan Network previously wrote to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, warning that the initial ticketing policy denied disabled fans access to the lowest-priced tickets and departed sharply from established World Cup practices.
While FIFA’s latest move is seen as a concession to mounting pressure, fan groups say they will continue to monitor how national associations implement the new pricing category to ensure fair and equitable access.
The revised pricing is expected to ease tensions ahead of the expanded 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
