Football enthusiasts have expressed discontent over the high ticket prices for the upcoming 2026 World Cup matches. A recent survey conducted among nearly 2,000 individuals in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland revealed that two-thirds of respondents find the cost of entry to the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada to be exorbitant. This sentiment aligns with recent reports in the Mirror highlighting FIFA’s perceived greed in setting inflated ticket rates.
Moreover, the survey indicated significant backing for a joint bid from British nations to host a future World Cup event. Despite England’s past unsuccessful attempts to secure the tournament since 1966, 67% of participants supported the idea of a collaborative bid from England, Scotland, and Wales. Only 11% of respondents opposed the concept.
The polling, conducted by Deltapoll, involved 1,997 British adults surveyed online from December 16th to 18th, 2025. Notably, prominent football supporters Neal Weekes and Fil Sollof expressed outrage over the ticket prices, with Weekes denouncing the situation as a severe exploitation of fans.
Sollof further criticized FIFA for allegedly alienating working-class fans, emphasizing the financial burden imposed by the ticket costs. In response to the pricing revelation, Ronan Evain, Director of Football Supporters Europe, condemned FIFA’s decision, citing its potential adverse effects on the tournament and fans’ ability to attend.
The 2026 World Cup, set to accommodate 48 nations for the first time, is scheduled for June and July, with Spain favored by bookmakers, followed closely by England, France, and Brazil. The competition’s impending expansion has generated heightened anticipation among football enthusiasts worldwide.