National football associations and supporters’ groups across Europe are condemning FIFA over what they call “unjustifiable” World Cup ticket prices, with some seats now costing up to five times more than those for Qatar 2022.
Football Supporters Europe (FSE), the continent’s leading fans’ organization, has called for an immediate freeze on ticket sales and a review of the pricing system. “Football must remain accessible to ordinary fans, not become an event for the elite,” FSE said in a statement .
Associations from Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands have reportedly joined the protest, warning that the soaring costs risk empty seats and a loss of the tournament’s diverse fan atmosphere.
FIFA has yet to respond to the mounting criticism, though sources close to the organizing body suggest that increased operational costs tied to the expanded tournament may have influenced pricing.
