Overview
- FIFA says the ongoing sales phase, running Dec. 11 to Jan. 13, has drawn more than 150 million requests—roughly 30 times the available allocation—for the expanded tournament of 48 teams and 104 matches.
- For the first time, ticket prices use dynamic pricing, with reports noting group-stage seats costing about triple 2022 levels and the cheapest final tickets around €3,600, while hospitality packages remain fixed at far higher prices.
- Responding to backlash, FIFA introduced a limited low-price category for “loyal fans,” with national-team fan blocks capped at 8% of stadium capacity and only 10% of those seats offered at the new lower rate.
- Examples published for Germany’s group games show just a few hundred of these cheaper tickets per match (e.g., 581 vs. Curaçao, 395 vs. Ivory Coast, 632 vs. Ecuador), and fan groups continue to criticize the small share.
- Infantino defended the pricing in Dubai, citing unprecedented demand and pledging reinvestment, and FIFA confirmed its annual awards will move to Dubai from 2026 under the new New World Football Awards partnership.