FIFA is anticipating record levels of attendance, with 48 teams competing in 16 cities and over 100 total matches.
Excitement is building, but so is controversy. The first phase of ticket sales has shown that fans will face an unprecedented cost, especially for the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
According to FIFA’s ticket price schedule, the most expensive ticket available for the final is $6,730 ( €5,738, 61 283 MAD). This Category 1 price is the highest-priced ticket available for a World Cup match-day ticket.
Even the lowest remaining price for a World Cup final, Category 4, is priced at around $2,030 (€1,730 and 18,000 MAD) for each ticket, for example. These ticket prices are far higher than what supporters have paid to attend previous World Cups.
FIFA has also confirmed that dynamic ticket pricing will be in use to fluctuate prices based on market demand. This is on top of an official resale market where FIFA has confirmed that there will be no restrictions or caps on resale pricing values.
The vast majority of 2026 World Cup tickets will cost fans hundreds of dollars, and most upper-deck seats at the final cost either $2,790 or $4,210, according to fans who won the opportunity to purchase tickets on the opening day of sales.
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Ticket price increases are based on dynamic pricing, and the availability of a major-selling price will be prepared. This dynamic pricing has already raised concern among fan associations who believe ordinary fans will price themselves out of the World Cup.
Reports released from FIFA on the early presale site show huge demand – millions of applications for tickets in September and October – but also dissatisfaction with the pricing.
The breakdown for the final shows the gap: Category 1 at $6,730, Category 2 at $4,210, Category 3 at $2,790, and Category 4 at $2,030. These numbers only represent starting points. In practice, dynamic pricing and resale markups could push them higher.
Fan groups argue that the “world’s game” risks becoming inaccessible, and FIFA maintains that pricing reflects demand and the scale of the tournament, which is set to draw the largest crowds in football history.
