FIFA is on track to make as much as $15 billion from the 2026 World Cup as ticket prices explode to levels many football fans say they simply cannot afford anymore.
Some resale listings for the final have already climbed above $30,000, turning what was once seen as the world’s most accessible sporting event into something many supporters now view as a luxury experience.
FIFA’s new dynamic pricing system is allowing prices to surge as demand rises, with some lower-tier seats now selling for more than $1,000 before travel or hotels are even considered. Even Donald Trump reportedly admitted he would not personally pay some of the prices appearing on resale markets.
For many supporters, attending a World Cup was once viewed as a once-in-a-lifetime trip worth years of saving. Now, some fans say even group-stage matches are financially unrealistic once flights, accommodation, food and tickets are added together. Behind the anger sits a massive financial opportunity for FIFA.
According to finance professor Richard Sheehan, FIFA’s total revenue for the current four-year World Cup cycle could eventually land between $14 billion and $19 billion, far above earlier forecasts of roughly $11 billion.
The expanded 2026 tournament is helping drive those numbers higher. More teams, more matches and larger stadiums across the United States, Canada and Mexico are expected to attract record demand.
FIFA reportedly received more than 500 million ticket requests despite having only around 7.1 million seats available. The shortage of available seats has allowed FIFA to push prices far beyond previous World Cups. FIFA also controls large parts of the ticket resale and hospitality business, allowing the organization to keep more of the money that once flowed mainly to resellers and secondary marketplaces.
Hotels, airlines and tourism operators are expected to cash in as millions of supporters travel across North America for the tournament. Sports merchandise companies, bars, restaurants and local businesses in host cities are also likely to benefit from the spending tied to the event.
At the same time, the pricing strategy is fueling growing criticism of FIFA itself.
To many fans, the optics look terrible: ticket prices keep climbing while FIFA’s revenues head toward record territory. Some supporters believe the World Cup is starting to feel less like a tournament for ordinary football fans and more like an event designed for wealthy buyers.
FIFA says revenues from tournaments help fund youth football, infrastructure projects, coaching programmes and development initiatives across more than 200 football associations worldwide. FIFA’s financial reports also show billions are invested into competitions, football development and education programmes globally.
Still, critics argue the rising cost of attending matches is making the tournament feel increasingly disconnected from ordinary supporters.
For millions of people who grew up seeing the World Cup as football’s biggest shared experience, the 2026 tournament is beginning to look less like a global celebration and more like an event reserved for those who can afford the rising price tag.
