By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
FIFA has announced a significant revision to its ticket pricing strategy for the 2026 World Cup, introducing a new low cost ticket category following sustained criticism from supporters around the world. The decision will be closely watched in South Africa, where interest in the expanded 48 team tournament remains strong despite concerns over affordability.
The world football governing body confirmed that a new Supporter Entry Tier will offer tickets priced at USD 60 ( R1000) for all 104 matches, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The initiative marks a rare reversal for FIFA president Gianni Infantino after widespread backlash, particularly from Europe, over what many fans described as prohibitively expensive pricing.
The newly introduced tickets will be distributed exclusively through participating national football associations rather than FIFA’s central sales platform. Each association will be responsible for setting its own eligibility criteria, with FIFA requesting that the allocation prioritise loyal supporters who regularly attend national team matches. Between 400 and 750 tickets per team per match are expected to be available under the new tier.
In total, FIFA said that 50 percent of each team’s supporter allocation will now fall within its most affordable price bands, made up of the Supporter Value Tier and the new Supporter Entry Tier. The remaining tickets will be split between Standard and Premier pricing categories.
The announcement follows intense criticism of FIFA’s original ticketing plans, which excluded national team supporters from the lowest priced categories altogether. Initial prices for group stage matches ranged from USD 140 to USD 265 ( R2300- R4400), with higher demand fixtures involving teams such as Argentina, Brazil and England priced at the upper end. Hospitality packages and premium seating options have also drawn scrutiny, particularly in the United States where NFL style stadium experiences have driven prices higher.
Fan groups accused FIFA of abandoning long standing commitments made during the 2018 bidding process, when organisers pledged that hundreds of thousands of low cost tickets would be made available for early round matches. Football Supporters Europe described the revised pricing as an appeasement tactic prompted by global outrage, arguing that most fans will still face costs far higher than at previous tournaments.
Despite the controversy, demand for tickets has remained exceptionally high. FIFA confirmed it has already received more than 20 million ticket requests during the current random selection draw phase, which opened on 11 December and closes on 13 January 2026. The timing of applications within that window does not affect selection chances.
FIFA has also moved to address complaints around refunds, confirming that administrative fees will be waived for fans who apply through their national association but whose teams fail to reach the knockout rounds. This follows criticism of a policy that would have delayed refunds until after the final on 19 July.
Concerns have also been raised about accessibility for fans with disabilities. Supporter groups have criticised FIFA’s resale platform for listing accessible seating at inflated prices and removing the provision for free companion tickets, a benefit previously available at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. FIFA has yet to announce further changes in this area.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams and will be staged across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July. FIFA expects the tournament to generate at least USD 10 billion in revenue, making it the most lucrative World Cup to date. The organisation has reiterated that more than 90 percent of its revenues are reinvested into football development across its 211 member associations.
For South African supporters, the introduction of R1000.00 tickets offer a measure of relief, though travel and accommodation costs remain a major barrier. As ticket demand continues to surge, the latest changes underscore the growing tension between FIFA’s commercial ambitions and the expectation that football’s biggest event remains accessible to its most dedicated fans.