The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) has lodged a formal complaint with Fifa regarding what it deems “excessive ticket prices” for this summer’s World Cup.
The FSA asserts that the international governing body for football has “exploited its monopoly” in determining tournament ticket prices, with the event set to kick off on June 11.
In December, Fifa announced the availability of a limited number of “more affordable” tickets at $60 (£45) for all 104 matches following broad criticism of its pricing strategy.
The FSA is urging Fifa to eliminate dynamic pricing—where prices fluctuate based on demand—and to freeze ticket prices ahead of their release in April.
Additionally, they are calling for improved transparency for fans during the ticket purchasing process, including at least 48 hours’ notice about ticket category availability and specific seat locations.
BBC Sport has reached out to Fifa for a response.
In a joint complaint filed with Euroconsumers to the European Commission, the FSA argues that Fifa has exploited its dominance to impose exorbitant ticket prices and ambiguous purchasing conditions on European fans.
The statement reads: “Fifa’s monopoly on ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup has allowed it to set terms for fans that would be deemed unacceptable in a competitive market.”
The FSA and Euroconsumers have identified “six specific abuses” of Fifa’s position.
One allegation includes “bait advertising”—deemed illegal under EU consumer laws—suggesting that the release of cheaper tickets is so limited that advertised prices may not truly be available.
Approximately 400 £45 tickets have been provided for group matches involving England and Scotland.
FSA Director Ronan Evain stated that the organization felt compelled to involve the European Commission because of Fifa’s “failure to engage in meaningful dialogue.”
“Fifa references their unverified sales figures to justify their unfair ticketing practices, while the reality is that they leave devoted fans with little choice—either pay or miss out,” Evain remarked.
According to Fifa, nearly seven million tickets have been allocated for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
For an individual to attend eight matches—one from each knockout round—the costs range from approximately £5,225 for the least expensive tickets, £8,580 for mid-tier, and £12,350 for the priciest options. This is a significant increase from 2022, where the costs were £1,466, £2,645, and £3,914 respectively for seven matches.