Which Nations' Fans Have Been Priced Out Of The World Cup?

During previous international football tournaments, Senegalese fans have become known for wearing vibrant outfits and dancing during games. But at the 2026 World Cup in North America, viral scenes like these could be more rare.

At the 2022 World Cup, a Moroccan fan joining in with the Senegalese celebrations

There have already been suggestions that because of US President Donald Trump's travel ban, fans from certain countries may be barred from entering America for the tournament. But after world governing body FIFA revealed ticket prices, there are fears that supporters from some countries will be priced out.

Peripheral has produced figures analysing how ticket prices differ, based on the salary of each qualifying country.

Analysis found that tickets were most expensive for Senegal and Haiti fans, as a proportion of salary for each country. For the average pre-tax wage, fans would have to fork out over four months' salary to afford tickets for all three group games (US$580 and US$625 respectively).

These prices are for category 3 tickets, which are the cheapest aside from the 1.6% allocation of $60 tickets for each game. To see the three group games from the best category seats, would cost a Senegalese fan more than a year's average salary.

A World Cup experience would likely be even more expensive than these initial figures. These figures are based off an average salary, so this doesn't take into account how expensive they would be for anyone with income below this. This price doesn't factor in other costs associated with a trip to North America to watch the tournament, such as flights, accommodation and visas. Beyond this, costs will continue to rack up if the nation makes it out of the group stage.

Data showed that African countries' tickets were the most relatively expensive. On average, fans of all nine qualifying nations from the continent would have to pay over a month's salary to see their three group games at the tournament. Portuguese fans had the most relatively expensive tickets of European fans, being charged 11 days' salary to see their group fixtures (US$795).

It was expected that tickets would be priced highly for the tournament, being the most prominent competition in world football. However, group stage game tickets are around three times more expensive than those of the previous tournament in Qatar, leaving many fans feeling that the cost escalation has gone too far.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently justified the cost by saying that "The FIFA World Cup 2026 will also be groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community". Many football fans, especially those from countries where facilities need development, would welcome more funds for improving infrastructure within their nation.

However, FIFA is an organisation with a history of its members facing corruption allegations. Previous World Cup bidding processes have been rife with claims that officials expropriated funds meant for football development. Based on this, many fans are likely to see the inordinate prices as just another of FIFA's schemes to squeeze more money out of the beautiful game.

Data from Peripheral