The 2026 FIFA World Cup is roughly two months out and the buildup should be all about football. Currently, though, it’s all about tickets and fans are not happy.
The tournament is set to be the biggest in history. 48 teams, 104 matches across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Group-stage play kicks off June 11 with each nation playing three games.
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The top two from every group advance alongside the eight best third-place finishers, making it a 32-team knockout round. The first time since 1998 that more than 16 sides move on. From the round of 32 forward, it’s straight single elimination.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed on stage during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
(Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
With the format settled and excitement building, the focus was supposed to shift toward the football. Then FIFA opened its latest ticket sales phase on Wednesday and the backlash came fast.
Reports indicate fans ran into long queues, technical failures and eye-watering prices the moment the portal went live. A Category 1 ticket for the final is listed at $10,990. This phase, labeled “last-minute sales,” was supposed to be more accessible, no lotteries, no special access required.
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Instead, according to Henry Bushnell of The Athletic, thousands of fans were stuck waiting hours to get through. Some were redirected to the wrong page entirely and had to start over from scratch.
Fans watching all of this unfold made their feelings clear.
“$10K for a category 1 ticket and the buying experience is still broken,” one fan wrote. “the ticketing industry charges premium prices but delivers a commodity experience. fans deserve better than site crashes and queue anxiety for the biggest event on earth.”
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“This is the height of absurdity, how can fans go and watch the matches!” another shared.
“Marketing!! Once they get the high rollers, then it’ll move to the working class to fill in.” a frustrated fan added.
“Football for the fans but only if you can afford it 😅” one noted.
“If I’m paying this amount, there should be a guaranty that my team won’t lose” another chimed in.
“If someone were to offer me thousands of dollars for my ticket, why wouldn’t I sell it. If FIFA does not set the high prices, the resellers will.” one fan reasoned.
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That said, the number has climbed steadily from $6,370 when sales first opened in October, to $7,875 in November, $8,680 in December and now past the $10,000 mark. Category 2 tickets hit $7,380 and Category 3 reached $5,785. More than double the original price.
Semifinal seats in Category 1 crossed $3,000. Price hikes also hit quarterfinals, additional knockout games and opening matches in Mexico and Canada, including fixtures at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Across the board, prices rose on roughly 40 of the 104 matches compared to earlier sales phases.
Related: Cristiano Ronaldo Injury Update Comes to Light After Missing World Cup Friendlies
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the World Cup section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
