Outrage is mounting among football supporters worldwide after FIFA opened applications for tickets to the 2026 World Cup opening match, revealing prices many fans have described as shockingly unaffordable.
Fans hoping to attend the tournament opener between co-hosts Mexico and Bafana Bafana can now apply for tickets through FIFA’s official website. However, the excitement has quickly turned to frustration after the governing body confirmed the steep costs involved.
According to FIFA’s ticketing platform, the cheapest available ticket, classified as Category 3, is priced at $1,020, which translates to approximately R17,200. A Category 2 ticket will set supporters back $1,705 (around R28,760), while fans wanting a Category 1 seat will need to pay close to R40,000.
The pricing has sparked backlash, particularly from supporters in developing football nations, who argue that such costs contradict FIFA’s long-standing messaging around accessibility and inclusivity.
Adding to the frustration, applicants will only be informed on 6 February 2026 whether their ticket request has been successful. FIFA has also indicated that fans may be offered a downgrade to a different ticket category if their chosen option sells out, a condition that has further angered supporters given the already high prices.
Critics say the system places ordinary fans at a disadvantage, favouring wealthier spectators, corporate buyers and hospitality clients. Calls are growing on social media for FIFA to halt ticket sales or reconsider pricing structures before the tournament kicks off.
The 2026 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada, is already expected to be the largest in history, featuring an expanded format and record number of matches. For many fans, however, the fear is that the world’s biggest football spectacle is fast becoming a luxury reserved for the few.
As pressure continues to build, FIFA has yet to issue a formal response addressing the backlash over ticket affordability — but the controversy shows no signs of slowing down.
