World Cup 2026 Tickets: Prices Soar on FIFA Resale

FIFA's resale wipeout, World Cup tickets at exorbitant prices

FIFA's official resale platform sees World Cup 2026 ticket prices skyrocket, with some seats selling for over 40 times their original price, sparking fan outrage and accusations of 'monumental betrayal'.

“These exorbitant prices, unfortunately, don't surprise me...”

Ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup have gone through the roof on FIFA's official resale platform, with some seats selling for several times their original price. For example, a category three seat for the opening match between Mexico and South Africa is listed at $5,324, compared to its original price of $895. The situation is even worse for the final, where a category one seat is being sold for a whopping $143,750, 41 times its original price of $3,450.

FIFA had warned that tickets on resale sites would come with exorbitant price tags, and it looks like those fears have come true. The governing body says it's just a facilitator, charging a 15% service fee, while individual sellers determine prices. Fans are feeling betrayed, with some groups accusing FIFA of prioritizing profit over accessibility.

The prices for World Cup 2026 tickets are skyrocketing. A category three seat for the opening game between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium is listed at $5,324, a significant jump from its original price of $895. Meanwhile, a category three seat for the World Cup final at East Rutherford, New Jersey, is being sold for a whopping $143,750, over 41 times its original face value of $3,450. The cheapest available ticket for the final is listed at $9,775.

While most ticket prices are sky-high, there are a few exceptions. A ticket for Austria's group game with Jordan at Levi's Stadium in California is actually going for $552, down from its original price of $620. However, these cases are rare, and most prices are trending upwards, fueling fan frustration with FIFA's pricing strategy.

Fans worldwide are venting their frustration, feeling FIFA prioritizes profit over accessibility. The prices on the official resale site seem to be confirming their worst fears.

Despite the hefty price tags, tickets are flying off the shelves, with FIFA reporting a staggering 500 million ticket requests. The demand is palpable, and FIFA's resale platform is cashing in on the frenzy, charging a cool 15% fee for facilitating sales.

FIFA's terms of sale put the onus on resellers, stating they're responsible for setting prices. The governing body claims it's just a middleman, washing its hands of price control. But fans aren't buying it, feeling FIFA's got a responsibility to keep prices reasonable.

“These exorbitant prices, unfortunately, don't surprise me. It reflects what we know and what we fight against: many people buy to resell,” Guillaume Aupretre, spokesperson for the France national team supporters group “Irresistibles Francais,” which has nearly 2,500 members.

“In the end, who pays the price? The passionate fans who end up with outrageous offers. We would prefer that this benefit real fans who come to support their team, but unfortunately, that's not the case.”

The resale market for World Cup tickets is a wild west, especially in the US and Canada, where prices can go as high as sellers want. Mexico's got some rules, but they only apply if you buy tickets locally with pesos. Elsewhere, fans are fuming, accusing FIFA of prioritizing profit over people.

Groups like Football Supporters Europe are livid, calling FIFA's approach a “monumental betrayal.” They claim the governing body's putting profit over fans, pricing out ordinary people. FIFA's got a tough road ahead, balancing its love for cash with fan goodwill. 

FIFA's response to criticism? A tiny batch of $60 tickets for official supporters' groups. Critics aren't impressed, saying it's a drop in the ocean. The move comes as FIFA starts notifying applicants about their ticket fate from the second sales phase, which ended in January.

Free Lions / @WeAreTheFSA statement on ludicrous prices and unsold World Cup ticket allocations. pic.twitter.com/MZIKqi1Hib

— Free Lions (@WeAreFreeLions) February 7, 2026

The $60 tickets are a token gesture, say fans, who want more affordable options. FIFA's under pressure to show it cares, but is it enough? The governing body's keeping mum on further discounts or concessions. 

FIFA's got one last trick up its sleeve: a “last-minute” sales phase from April till the end of the tournament, operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Prices will fluctuate based on demand and availability, but FIFA claims it's not dynamic pricing, as prices aren't automatically adjusted.

The distinction's subtle, but FIFA's keen to point out it's not playing the dynamic pricing game. Either way, prices are likely to spike as the tournament nears. Fans, get ready to dig deep.