FIFA has announced a limited release of lower-priced tickets for the 2026 World Cup after widespread criticism over the high cost of attending the tournament.

Under the new plan, a small number of tickets priced at $60 (around £45) will be available for all 104 matches. FIFA said the move targets loyal supporters from countries that have qualified for the competition.

A FIFA official told the BBC, “We have listened to feedback, and this new category is the right thing to do,” noting that the decision was made unanimously.

The announcement comes after pressure from fan organisations, who warned that the original pricing could exclude ordinary supporters. For England fans, following the team to the final under the original plan would have cost over £5,000, a figure described as “scandalous” by the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA).

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the move but urged FIFA to do more. “I encourage FIFA to make tickets more affordable so that the World Cup remains accessible to the genuine supporters who make the game special,” he said.

The £45 tickets fall under the supporter entry tier, the cheapest category, and will account for 10% of each nation’s allocation. The tournament will be hosted jointly by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Not everyone is satisfied. FSA chair Tom Greatrex dismissed the move as a “hollow gesture,” adding it is “a cynical attempt to deflect attention while continuing to rip fans off.” Football Supporters Europe also said the changes “do not go far enough” to address concerns.

Meetings held in Doha, Qatar, over the weekend discussed ticket pricing issues, with sources from the English FA saying the changes were raised directly with FIFA’s leadership and seen as a step in the right direction.

FIFA stated: “The entry tier tickets will be allocated specifically to supporters of qualified teams, with each member association defining eligibility and application processes. 50% of each PMA allocation will be in the most affordable range: 40% supporter value tier and 10% supporter entry tier, with the remainder split between supporter standard and premier tiers.”