Fifa has announced that five million ticket requests flooded in within the first 24 hours of the third sales phase for the 2026 World Cup.
It comes despite supporter groups across Britain condemning the pricing structure as “scandalous” and “disgraceful.”
Football’s world governing body revealed that fans from more than 200 countries submitted applications for the tournament, which will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.
The Football Supporters’ Association has demanded the FA challenge what it described as outrageous costs, while Football Supporters Europe called for an immediate halt to ticket sales.
The Colombia versus Portugal group match in Miami on June 27 has attracted the most interest, with supporters from the three host nations leading demand, followed by Colombia, England and Scotland.
The price increases compared to the last World Cup are stark.
Group stage fixtures in Qatar carried set prices of £68.50, £164.50 or £219, but tickets for matches such as England versus Croatia and Scotland versus Brazil next summer will cost approximately £198, £373 or £523.
Knockout rounds see costs escalate dramatically.
Fifa has announced that five million ticket requests flooded in within the first 24 hours of the third sales phase for the 2026 World Cup
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Quarter-final tickets range from £507 to £1,073, while semi-final seats span £686 to £2,363.
The final represents the most extreme jump, with the cheapest available ticket priced at £3,119, seven times the equivalent cost in Qatar.
Fifa has introduced no concessions for children or other groups across any ticket category.
Following their team through to the final would set supporters back roughly £5,225 for the cheapest seats across all eight matches.
The World Cup draw took place in Washington
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The FSA has joined Football Supporters Europe in calling for Fifa to suspend the sales process to allow negotiations on pricing policy.
The FSA said: “We back Football Supporters Europe in calling for a halt in ticket sales and we are calling on the Football Association to work with fellow FAs to directly challenge these disgraceful prices.”
The organisation accused Fifa of betraying loyal supporters, declaring that fans had been “stabbed in the back” and warning that dedicated followers would be absent from venues because matches have become “unaffordable” to most.
The FSA said: “Fifa has decided to make it all about the money and the elite who can afford it. The life has been sucked out of this tournament before it starts.”
The FA has confirmed it will contact Fifa to relay supporters’ concerns after being urged to lobby the governing body over ticket costs.
England will be hoping to go all the way at the World Cup next summer | PA
FA chair Debbie Hewitt will attend a Fifa Council meeting in Doha next week, having previously stated her opposition to dynamic ticket pricing and pledging it will not feature at Euro 2028, which the UK and Ireland will host.
Scottish supporter groups have been particularly vocal despite strong demand following the nation’s first World Cup qualification since 1998.
The Association of Tartan Army Clubs warned that the pricing structure would exclude many fans, stating: “FIFA have killed the dream of our young fans, desperate to get to a World Cup.”
Neither the FA nor the Scottish FA has publicly commented on the ticket prices.
Fifa declined to comment further when approached by GB News.
