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Global football body FIFA has announced an additional release of World Cup tickets following criticism from fans over newly introduced higher-priced seating categories.
The organisation confirmed that more tickets will go on sale starting Wednesday, covering all 104 matches of the tournament. These tickets will be available across Categories 1, 2, and 3, alongside the recently introduced “front category” pricing tier, which offers premium seating at significantly higher costs.
Fan concerns over pricing and seating
The introduction of the new pricing category has sparked frustration among supporters, with many taking to social media to express concerns. Some fans believe that better seats within existing categories may have been withheld earlier, leaving them with less desirable positions despite paying for higher-tier tickets.
FIFA had initially launched ticket sales in December, with prices starting at around $140 for lower-tier group-stage matches and reaching as high as $8,680 for the final. However, when sales reopened in April, prices climbed further, with top-tier tickets reportedly increasing to nearly $11,000.
The governing body has yet to publicly address the criticism surrounding the addition of the new premium category.
Slower ticket demand for key matches
At the same time, reports suggest that ticket demand for certain high-profile matches has been slower than expected. According to The Athletic, ticket sales for the United States’ opening match against Paraguay have not reached full capacity.
The match, scheduled to take place in Inglewood, California, at the SoFi Stadium, has seen tens of thousands of tickets sold so far, but still falls short of the venue’s projected capacity of nearly 70,000.
Similarly, ticket sales for the clash between Iran and New Zealand have also been moderate compared to expectations.
Balancing demand and pricing strategy
While FIFA continues to expand ticket availability, the combination of rising prices and mixed demand highlights the challenges of balancing revenue goals with fan accessibility.
With the tournament approaching, further ticket releases and pricing adjustments may play a key role in ensuring stadiums are filled while maintaining global interest in the event.
