Longtime supporters of national teams will receive a measure of relief at the 2026 FIFA World Cup following widespread criticism over high ticket prices. In response to protests from fans around the world, FIFA announced the introduction of a new category of affordable tickets priced at around €50 per match, reserved specifically for supporters of participating teams.

The move is intended to ensure that traditional fans are not priced out of attending the world’s biggest football tournament and to preserve the connection between national teams and their most loyal followers. The newly created “base fan category” will apply to all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup and to every qualified national team. According to FIFA, ten percent of the ticket allocation assigned to each national football association will fall under this lower-priced category. Each association will have the authority to determine its own allocation criteria and distribution methods, allowing flexibility based on local fan structures.

In addition, national teams will receive eight percent of the total tickets per match specifically designated for official supporter sections, reinforcing organized fan presence in stadiums. The decision comes amid growing backlash over previously announced ticket prices, which many fans described as excessive. For group-stage matches, maximum prices can reach €430 for a team’s first match, €515 for the second, and up to €600 for the third, depending on seating category and demand.

These figures fueled concerns about the increasing commercialization of football and the exclusion of average supporters from major tournaments, especially in a World Cup promoted as the largest and most inclusive in history, featuring 48 teams. The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico, marking the first time the tournament is hosted jointly by three countries and expanded to a record number of matches.

Against this backdrop, FIFA appears to be attempting to balance commercial interests with fan accessibility. While the introduction of more affordable tickets represents a step toward addressing supporter concerns, the broader debate over pricing and fair access to elite football remains ongoing.