There is growing frustration among football supporters after tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup surged to extremely high prices on FIFA’s official resale marketplace, with some seats listed for as much as $143,750 — more than 40 times their original face value.
The resale platform, which allows fans to legally buy and sell tickets they already secured, has listed expensive matchday seats for key fixtures, including the tournament’s final in MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. Even the lowest available ticket for the final on the resale site was reported at nearly $9,775.
For many matches, resale prices now far exceed initial prices set by FIFA during earlier sales phases. For example, a “Category 3” ticket for the opening match at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium was being resold for about $5,324, up from its original cost of $895.
Supporter groups worldwide have expressed dismay at the inflated prices, saying the situation benefits resellers more than genuine fans.
Critics argue that while FIFA’s resale platform is sanctioned by the governing body, it still permits private sellers to set high mark-ups that place attendance out of reach for many followers of the game.
Despite the backlash, interest in the tournament remains high, with millions of ticket requests reported and many watching closely as further sales phases begin.