World Cup ticket controversy: UEFA responds with clear message

Martin Macdonald

• 2 Dec 2025 03:01 CST
• 4 min read

Nieuws

The controversy surrounding FIFA's World Cup match ticket prices continues and the conversation will continue well into the start of the tournament in 2026.

The next edition of the World Cup will be the biggest ever, with 48 teams set to compete in fixtures across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

It will also be, by far, the most expensive World Cup in history for football fans, largely due to FIFA's ticketing system.

In October, FIFA began sales for the upcoming tournament by informing the select few who had been chosen in its 'first ticket lottery' that they could proceed with purchasing entry to games.

However, the lucky ones who managed to gain access soon realised that the $60 tickets FIFA had been promoting were few and far between. Instead, most prices were in the hundreds and even thousands.

Split into four pricing categories depending on the location of the seat, the cost for group stage games ranged from $60 to $620. Ticket prices for the final at MetLife Stadium reached as high as $6,730, with even Category 4 spots going for as much as $2,030, according to The Athletic.

Since then, FIFA has opened an official secondary market in the US and Canada, and prices have skyrocketed even further due to the governing body charging a 15 per cent commission and not implementing a cap.

Dynamic pricing has allowed for demand to increase prices further.

Many football fans feel 'priced out' of the matches, while it was recently confirmed that the two nations involved in a certain match will only receive 10% each of available tickets for a particular venue.

UEFA sets fair and transparent ticket system for Euro 2028

It seems UEFA has noticed the negative reception FIFA has received regarding World Cup tickets.

The 2028 European Championships will take place in the United Kingdom and this week UEFA confirmed its "fair and transparent ticketing principles".

Three million tickets are set to become available for fans, while, perhaps crucially, tickets will not go on sale until the final group stage draw is made in December of 2027.

BREAKING: The venues for the first match and the final of Euro 2028 have been announced.

The opening game, expected to be held on the 9th of June 2028, will be held at Cardiff's Principality Stadium while the final will take place at Wembley on the 9th of July 2028 🚨 pic.twitter.com/sUyV28mfpS

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 12, 2025

UEFA have confirmed that no dynamic pricing will be in place so prices will be set in stone - at least on official platforms.

Some bullet points from UEFA's statement read:

- Fans First: More than 40% of tickets will be offered in the most affordable categories.

- No dynamic pricing across the tournament and equal pricing for regular group stage matches, giving fans a consistent and fair ticketing experience.

- Accessibility: Disabled fans will be able to purchase tickets at the same price as the most affordable category and may request a complimentary ticket for a companion.

- Fair distribution: Over 80% of all tickets will be available to fans of the participating teams and the general public.

- Official resale platform: Tickets can be resold at face value only, ensuring fairness for all with no fees charged to the seller. Resale outside the official resale platform will not be authorised, ensuring fairness for all.

- Fair allocation via ballot: For the start of general public sales, fans will have time to apply through a ballot system, avoiding queues and pressure, ensuring the fairest ticket allocation principle.

- Close collaboration with participating national associations will ensure that loyal supporters of each qualified team have access to 10,000 tickets reserved for every group stage match.

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