The FIFA World Cup is the world’s most popular sports competition, bar none. The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar drew in an average of 175 million live viewers, with 1.42 billion for the final. People travel from all over the globe for a chance to watch one World Cup game live. Kids recreate their favorite World Cup moments in person and on gaming consoles for years after.

 

The ticket prices that FIFA recently announced for the 2026 World Cup, have been a subject of strong debate. There is a significant increase in prices compared to the previous two men’s World Cup tournaments. That has led football lovers and experts to debate if the FIFA World Cup prices are reasonable or repelling.

History of FIFA World Cup Prices

To understand the fury among the fans regarding the 2026 World Cup prices, you need to understand the history. In the tables below, you will find the prices for all four ticket categories at the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.

Russia, 2018:

Match Type	Opening match	Group Matches	Round of 16	Quarter finals	Semi finals	Third-place match	Final
Category 4	$50	$20	$35	$60	$70	$60	$110
Category 3	$220	$105	$115	$175	$285	$175	$450
Category 2	$390	$165	$185	$255	$480	$255	$710
Category 1	$550	$210	$245	$365	$750	$365	$1,100

Qatar, 2022:

Match Type	Opening match	Group Matches	Round of 16	Quarter finals	Semi finals	Third-place match	Final
Category 4	$55	$11	$19	$82	$137	$82	$206
Category 3	$302	$69	$96	$206	$357	$206	$604
Category 2	$440	$165	$206	$288	$659	$302	$1,003
Category 1	$618	$220	$275	$426	$956	$426	$1,607

2026 FIFA World Cup Prices

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has three host countries: the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. That means that the organization costs don’t fall on one country alone, and yet we saw the ticket prices skyrocket. In some cases, there has been a 100% increase compared to the previous two tournaments. The table below contains the FIFA World Cup prices for all four ticket categories.

Canada, Mexico, U.S.A., 2026:

Match Type	Opening match	Group Matches	Round of 16	Quarter finals	Semi finals	Third-place match	Final
Category 4	$560	$100	$220	$410	$455	$165	$2,030
Category 3	$1,120	$150	$330	$725	$720	$360	$2,790
Category 2	$1,940	$430	$675	$1,150	$1,920	$715	$4,210
Category 1	$2,735	$575	$890	$1,690	$2,780	$1,000	$6,370

Fan Reactions

While the FIFA World Cup is an event most people look forward to every four years, there has been a lot of dread surrounding the 2026 tournament. Not only have the prices increased significantly, but there is also the matter of the so-called FIFA fanzones. These areas are usually set up near the stadiums where the games take place, showing the games on TVs and projectors.

In these fanzones, you can buy food, beverages, and team merch, in addition to watching the game with you fellow fans. Up until the 2026 World Cup, access to the fanzones was completely free. However, the hosts have implemented a new rule that requires you to purchase a ticket to enter.

Potential Consequences

The exorbitant increase in prices, in addition to paywalling access to the beloved fanzones have left many fans uneasy. It is true that the FIFA World Cup is an exciting and memorable event. But the games won’t be quite as memorable if the players are forced to play in front of half-empty stands.

The footballing part of the tournament is thrilling, certainly, but so is the crowd. If there are no motivating chants, funny face paints, and excited viewers from all generations, the World Cup might lose its buzz. Although crowds show up to watch players from the biggest teams, like Manchester United, Real Madrid, and A.C. Milan, they may reconsider with these prices. Granted, the World Cup is a great opportunity to boost local economies, but the hosts need to take the fans’ expenses into account, as well.