STWF Sports | Dec. 12, 2025 – The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) has formally urged the Football Association to demand that FIFA hit pause on World Cup ticket sales after outrage erupted across England’s fanbase. With prices skyrocketing to unprecedented levels and the 2026 tournament staged across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, supporters warn that following their national team next summer is becoming financially impossible.

FSA officials say fans feel “stabbed in the back” as ticket prices for the first 48-team World Cup balloon far beyond those seen at Qatar 2022. FIFA’s new variable pricing model—in which fixtures deemed “more attractive” cost significantly more—has become a lightning rod for criticism. With England vs. Croatia and Scotland vs. Brazil reaching as much as $700 for standard seats, many supporters have simply refused to buy in.

“For the first time in World Cup history, no consistent price will be offered across all group-stage games,” the FSA said in a blistering statement. “Fans of different national teams will have to pay different prices for the same ticket category at the same stage, without transparency on how FIFA determines its pricing.”

Some fans hoped pricing chaos would ease after the World Cup draw, but instead found quarter-final tickets listed near $12,000 and semi-final seats selling for up to $2,600. Even the cheapest World Cup final ticket at New York’s MetLife Stadium sits at £3,119, rising to £6,615 for the premium tier. By comparison, the cheapest ticket to the 2022 final in Qatar cost just £440.

There are no child concessions for the event.

FAN BACKLASH GROWS

Nick Jones of the England Supporters’ Travel Club says 90 percent of fans in his WhatsApp group have already ruled out buying final tickets.

Jones emphasized that even loyal, long-time England travelers are balking at what FIFA has put on the table.

“If England go all the way, you’re forced into more expensive tiers unless you have maximum points. Some fans could be pushed into the £7,000–£8,000 range for a single ticket. Add travel between cities, hotels, and food—it becomes unrealistic for the average supporter.”

Sports host Shebahn Aherne echoed the sentiment, calling the structure “despicable.”

“Football is meant to be for the fans,” she said. “FIFA is pricing them out of their own sport.”

FIFA UNLIKELY TO HALT SALES

Despite the backlash, sources close to FIFA insist that there are no plans to suspend ticket sales. Insiders point out that some Club World Cup tickets were reduced after opening-week attendance lagged—but they warn supporters not to rely on similar cuts for 2026.

The organization also defends its variable pricing model by citing expected demand spikes for certain fixtures. Yet critics note that FIFA has not disclosed how it determines attractiveness or assigns value tiers.

ENGLAND’S QUALIFYING DOMINANCE HEIGHTENS DEMAND

England cruised through qualifying with a perfect record under Thomas Tuchel, scoring 22 goals and conceding none. Drawn into a favorable group with Croatia, Ghana, and Panama, the Three Lions enter 2026 as pre-tournament favorites—making tickets even more sought-after for fans desperate to witness a potential historic run.

But with costs skyrocketing, countless supporters now fear they may be forced to watch from home—even if England make their deepest World Cup push since 1966.

“THE LIFE HAS BEEN SUCKED OUT OF THE TOURNAMENT BEFORE IT STARTS”

The FSA says fans are delaying travel plans entirely, hoping prices fall closer to kickoff. Others are resigned to missing the tournament altogether.

“For FIFA,” the FSA said, “loyalty is not the fan traveling thousands of miles for qualifiers. The World Cup is becoming a tournament only for those who can afford it.”

With over six months until the opening match, FIFA faces intensifying pressure—but for now, the organization appears unmoved, leaving supporters to decide whether a once-in-a-lifetime trip is worth the financial strain.

If this pricing storm continues, fans warn, the atmosphere that makes the World Cup special may not make it to North America next summer.