England Fans Threaten 2026 World Cup Ticket Boycott Over Exorbitant Prices

Gianni Infantino’s FIFA Faces Backlash

The 2026 World Cup is fast approaching, but the excitement is being dampened by the exorbitant ticket prices imposed by FIFA, led by President Gianni Infantino. The steep costs have sparked a growing movement among England fans to boycott the tournament, with the Football Association (FA) facing increasing pressure to take a stand.
According to a recent statement by Football Supporters Europe (FSE), the minimum amount fans would need to pay to follow their national team from the opening match to the final is a staggering $6,900, excluding premium seating. This has left many fans feeling priced out of the tournament, with family vacations and long-term plans being jeopardized.
The issue has been exacerbated by FIFA’s decision to implement a new ticketing system, which has been criticized for being overly complex and restrictive. The Football Supporters’ Association has accused Infantino of exploiting fan loyalty to maximize revenue through rising ticket prices, which have increased nearly fivefold since the 2022 World Cup.

Boycott Movement Gains Momentum

The boycott movement is gaining momentum, with an England Supporters Travel Club member writing a letter to the FA highlighting the lack of dialogue with fans. The letter, which was also shared on social media, called for the FA to refuse their ticketing allocations in order to make FIFA think again.
The FA is now planning discussions with tournament organizers to address the issue, but it remains to be seen whether they will take a firm stance against FIFA’s pricing policies. The boycott movement is not limited to England fans, with other nations also expressing frustration over the high ticket prices.

Interest in the World Cup Remains Strong

Despite the controversy surrounding ticket prices, interest in the World Cup remains strong. FIFA recently opened the third ticket sales phase for the tournament, with group-stage matches attracting significant international interest. Colombia led all countries with 367,376 ticket applications, followed by England (140,291) and Germany (138,246).
The most requested match among the confirmed group-stage fixtures was Colombia vs. Portugal on June 27 in Miami, with other highly sought-after games including Brazil vs. Morocco, Mexico vs. South Korea, Ecuador vs. Germany, and Scotland vs. Brazil.

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