FIFA announce controversial change to World Cup for first time which could cost fans thousands

World Cup ticket prices could be set to skyrocket with FIFA to implement dynamic pricing with tickets for the 2026 tournament.

The sport’s governing body will use the infamous system which adjusts prices depending on demand, despite being left with egg on their faces when it failed at the poorly attended Club World Cup.

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Current ticket prices are listed at £45 ($60) for a group stage match all the way up to £5,000 ($6,730) for the final, but could increase fourfold.

Confirming all 104 matches at the expanded tournament will use the pricing model, a FIFA spokesperson said: “We will adapt prices as per the demand we see, as per the remaining inventory.

“While we have committed to the starting point we will apply variable pricing from day one of the process.

“We do not intend at all to change prices every five minutes.”

Dynamic pricing hit the headlines in the UK in September 2024 when Oasis released tickets for their reunion tour above the quoted amount.

Tickets were listed for a maximum fee of £150, but fans ended up paying as much as £350, with the band later blaming promoters, saying they had no influence over the pricing.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino later praised the model ahead of the summer’s expanded Club World Cup.

“I didn’t know about it but it means that the prices can go up or can go down,” he said.

“For us, the important element is to fill stadiums to give opportunities to people to come.”

Dynamic pricing hasn’t always worked for FIFA

Despite Infantino’s hopes, the USA tournament faced low attendances and viewing figures across the board and that was reflected in dynamic pricing.

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AFP

In one such example, the semi-final between champions Chelsea and Fluminense saw prices drop from £350 to just £9 due to low demand, with 12,000 seats left empty.

The 2026 World Cup is unlikely to face such issues due to the international competition being the most-watched in world sport outside of the Olympics.

It’s also based not just in the USA, but also in Canada, and crucially Mexico where football is a far bigger sport.

The tournament will also offer the global attractions of what will almost certainly be Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s last hurrahs with their countries.

Yet much like the Club World Cup, it also faces the potential of over-saturation with more teams being added.

The 2025 Club World Cup fielded 32 teams, up from six, while the international World Cup is increasing from 32 teams to 48.

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The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19 in the heat of the US summer, which was also an issue during the club event in 2025.

16 cities will host matches with 11 in the US, three in Mexico and two in Canada.

The final will be held in the 82,500 seater MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with the first stage of ticket sales beginning on September 10.