England fans are facing the prospect of exorbitant costs to support their team at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, sparking accusations of "betrayal" against FIFA. The steep ticket prices, coupled with the costs of travel and accommodation, could see fans shelling out upwards of £5,000, leading to outrage and calls for action.
The Football Association (FA) has already shared pricing information with the England Supporters Travel Club (ESTC), revealing that the lowest price for any England game is just under £135. Specifically, the cheapest tickets are available for the group games against Panama and Ghana, priced at £134.11. The opening match against Croatia in Dallas is more expensive, costing just below £200. However, these prices are only the beginning. A World Cup final ticket could cost England fans at least £3,129.
One of the major concerns is FIFA's new "dynamic pricing" system, which will apply to tickets sold on general sale. This system allows prices to fluctuate based on demand, potentially making popular matches and teams even more expensive to follow. FIFA will also operate its own resale market, permitting sellers to charge significantly above face value for games in the United States and Canada, though not in Mexico. This has led to accusations that FIFA is prioritizing profit over accessibility for ordinary fans.
Football Supporters Europe has called for an immediate halt to ticket sales, highlighting that prices are already five times higher than at the previous World Cup. The combination of high ticket prices and the dynamic pricing model has been described as a "scam" by some fans. Some tickets are already listed online by resellers for staggering amounts, reaching as high as £32,000. FIFA is also taking a 15% cut from both the buyer and the seller on ticket resales.
The anger is palpable among England fans, with many feeling priced out of supporting their team. The England national team will only receive 8% of the tickets for its supporters, and the prices are so high that even an average salary doesn't cover the cost of a ticket for a single match. Some fans are already discussing boycotting the tournament and watching games in fan zones and bars instead.
The high costs are not limited to tickets alone. With the World Cup being held in North America, travel and accommodation expenses will further inflate the overall cost for fans. Thomas Concannon, who leads the FSA's England Fans' Embassy, stated that the cheapest final ticket costs $2,000 and that attending every England match could cost a fan $3,180, more than double what it cost to attend the Qatar World Cup. He added that, combined with travel and accommodation, this will be the most expensive World Cup for match-going fans by some distance.
FIFA has stated that its pricing model reflects existing market practices in the co-hosting countries and that it is focused on ensuring fair access to the game. However, fan groups argue that these prices are unacceptable and are calling on the FA to lobby FIFA for fairer prices. The situation has raised serious questions about the affordability and accessibility of the World Cup for ordinary fans, with many fearing that the tournament is becoming increasingly exclusive to the wealthy.
