Fans Group Files Complaint Against FIFA Over ‘Excessive’ World Cup Ticket Prices

Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has lodged a formal complaint with the European Commission, accusing FIFA of charging “excessive ticket prices” for this summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup.

FSE alleges that football’s global governing body has “abused its monopoly position” by setting high prices and implementing what it describes as opaque and unfair ticketing processes for the tournament, which kicks off on 11 June across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The complaint, filed alongside consumer group Euroconsumers, calls for FIFA to abandon its use of dynamic pricing—where ticket costs fluctuate based on demand—and instead freeze prices ahead of the next ticket release in April. It also demands greater transparency, including at least 48 hours’ notice for ticket availability and clearer information about seating categories.

Although FIFA introduced a limited number of lower-cost tickets priced at $60 (£45) for all 104 matches in December, FSE claims these were too scarce to make a meaningful difference. The group argues this amounts to “bait advertising,” suggesting prices were promoted that were not realistically obtainable for most fans.

FSE director Ronan Evain said the organisation had been left with no choice but to escalate the issue after what he described as FIFA’s failure to engage constructively with supporters.

According to FIFA’s figures, nearly seven million tickets have been allocated for the tournament. However, the cost for fans attending matches across all rounds has risen sharply compared to previous editions. Estimates suggest attending eight matches could cost approximately £5,225 at the lowest tier, rising to £12,350 for premium tickets—significantly higher than comparable packages at the 2022 tournament.

FIFA has yet to publicly respond to the complaint.