FIFA has introduced a new category of cheaper tickets for the upcoming 2026 World Cup following widespread fan criticism over the high prices of matchday passes.

The international governing body announced the introduction of “Supporter Entry Tier” tickets, costing $60 (about £45 or €56) for all 104 matches, including the final.

The move comes after heavy backlash from national fan groups and accusations of a “betrayal” of supporters, as the initial pricing structure represented an increase of almost 500 per cent compared to Qatar 2022.

The $60 tickets will be distributed to the national federations of the teams participating in the tournament, which will decide how to allocate them to loyal fans who have attended previous games at home and abroad.

FIFA said the lower-priced tickets are “designed to further support travelling fans following their national teams across the tournament.”

The number of tickets in this category for each game is expected to be in the hundreds rather than thousands, representing only a small fraction of the total capacity.

Fans who buy these tickets for knockout-stage matches but see their team eliminated early will have administrative fees waived when refunds are issued after the July 19 final.

The announcement follows controversy from supporters worldwide, especially in Europe, over the initial ticket pricing.

Group-stage tickets for matches not involving co-hosts United States, Canada, or Mexico were originally priced between $120 and $265, while quarter-final and final tickets cost over $500 and $3,000, respectively.

Many fans were upset that loyal supporters could not access the cheapest ticket options and that refunds would only be available after the tournament.

FIFA promised in 2018 to offer hundreds of thousands of $21 tickets for the 2026 World Cup. This tournament will be the first to feature 48 teams, increasing from 32, and is projected to generate at least $10 billion in revenue.