2026 World Cup Ticket Prices Soar on FIFA Resale Platform

Fans express outrage as some seats listed at over 40 times face value

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Ticket prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have surged dramatically on FIFA's official resale platform, with some seats now listed at several times their original face value. The spike in prices has sparked outrage among football fans worldwide, with advocacy groups accusing FIFA of a "monumental betrayal" over the escalating costs.

Why it matters

The resale market for World Cup tickets remains largely unregulated in the host countries, allowing sellers to list seats at exorbitant prices. This pricing controversy highlights the ongoing tension between FIFA's efforts to maximize revenue and the desire of passionate fans to access affordable tickets to support their teams.

The details

Checks on the resale platform showed staggering markups across several matches. A 'category three' seat for the opening match between Mexico and South Africa was listed at $5,324, compared to its original price of $895. Even more striking was the resale price of a category three ticket for the World Cup final, listed at $143,750 - more than 41 times its face value of $3,450. Despite the overall surge, a few tickets have seen price reductions, such as one for Austria's group-stage match against Jordan listed at $552, lower than the original $620.

  • The resale platform opened for transactions in February 2026.
  • FIFA reported about 500 million ticket requests globally as of February 2026.

The players

Gianni Infantino

The FIFA President who warned that tickets appearing on resale platforms could attract exorbitant prices.

Guillaume Aupretre

The spokesperson for France supporters' group Irresistibles Francais, who criticized the exorbitant prices and their impact on passionate fans.

Football Supporters Europe

An advocacy group that has accused FIFA of a 'monumental betrayal' over the escalating World Cup ticket costs.

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What they’re saying

“These exorbitant prices, unfortunately, don't surprise me. It reflects what we know and what we fight against: many people buy to resell. 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.”

— Guillaume Aupretre, Spokesperson, Irresistibles Francais

What’s next

FIFA has stated that a final 'last-minute' sales window will run from April until the end of the competition on a first-come, first-served basis.

The takeaway

The surge in World Cup ticket prices on the resale platform highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing FIFA's revenue goals with the need to ensure affordable access for passionate fans. This controversy underscores the importance of stronger regulation and oversight in the secondary ticket market to protect the interests of the sport's loyal supporters.