Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
The Football Association has been urged to challenge FIFA’s “abusive” World Cup ticket prices for England’s most loyal fans.
Needed England To reach the final in July, fans wishing to purchase through the FA’s allocation will need to spend more than £5,000 on tickets alone to attend all matches, with the cheapest price for the showpiece game set at more than £3,000.
The Press Association understands that talks are ongoing between national associations after pricing was confirmed on Thursday, and the Football Supporters’ Association has called on the FA to play its part on behalf of England fans.
An FSA statement published on Friday morning said: “We support football supporters’ call for Europe to halt ticket sales and we are calling on the Football Association to work with fellow FAs to directly challenge these outrageous prices.”
The FSA said the proposed prices for England Supporters Travel Club (ESTC) members – which includes fans who follow England home and away for friendlies and qualifiers – were “reprehensible” and “a step too far for the many supporters who passionately and loyally follow their national sides at home and abroad”.
“All the fears we had about the direction FIFA wants to take the game have been confirmed – Gianni Infantino sees supporters’ loyalty as something to be used only for profit,” the statement said.
“This is a tournament that should be celebrated by the world, where fans from all countries come together for the love of football. FIFA has decided to make it about money and the elite who can afford it.
“For FIFA, loyalty is not hardworking fans traveling thousands of miles to support their team in qualifiers around the continent. A game that should be for everyone is now only for those who can afford it.”
FSE estimates that fans will pay five times more to follow their team at the 2026 World Cup from the first game to the final than in previous tournaments. Queue In 2022.
Tickets for the final start at US$4,185 (£3,130) in the Participating Members Association allocation. The cheapest ticket to buy from the first game to the last game after England will cost US$7,020 (£5,250), including travel costs and accommodation.
The FSA said ESTC members are being asked to pay for tickets only to the finals, rather than for the group games that England will definitely play.
“If England are knocked out before the final they will return (the money), minus administration fees of course. They are shameless,” the statement said.
scotland Fans pay prices as high as England qualifying for the finals for the first time since 1998.
The Scottish Football Supporters’ Association (SFSA) called on national associations to “hold FIFA accountable” over ticket prices.
John McLean, ceo SFSA said this Scottish Football Association Chairman Mike Mulraney – recently appointed chairman of FIFA’s Finance Committee – was ideally placed to express “the widespread frustration of Scottish fans, and indeed fans around the world, at ticket prices which, in some cases, are five times the cost in Qatar”.
The FA and FIFA have been contacted for comment.