The FIFA World Cup is often marketed as the “most inclusive sporting event on Earth,” promising affordable tickets, global access, and fairness. However, recent revelations about its ticket pricing and resale system have sparked outrage among fans worldwide—exposing a system many believe is intentionally designed for profit rather than accessibility.
The $60 Ticket Promise — Marketing or Misleading?
When tickets were first announced, FIFA proudly advertised the availability of $60 “Category 4” tickets targeted at making the World Cup more inclusive. These tickets appeared on stadium seating maps as the green areas—small, restricted sections usually located in the least desirable spots.
While they technically existed, they sold out within seconds. Most fans report never even seeing them become available. This raises the question: Were these affordable tickets truly meant for fans—or simply a marketing tool to promote inclusivity?
FIFA’s New Resale Platform — Fighting Scalpers or Becoming One?
Historically, previous World Cups capped the resale value of tickets at face value. This policy ensured that fans could exchange tickets fairly without price gouging. But FIFA changed the rules.
In the new system:
- FIFA allows tickets to be resold for any price — no face value limit.
- 15% commission is charged to the seller, and another 15% to the buyer.
- Tickets can be resold multiple times, each time earning FIFA another round of commissions.
This effectively means FIFA has created its own official scalping marketplace—profiting from soaring resale prices rather than preventing them.
Real Example: Final Match Ticket Prices Skyrocket
When final match tickets were first released through FIFA’s lottery system, the official face value for the cheapest ticket was $2,030.
Within 24 hours, those same tickets were being listed on FIFA’s official resale platform for $25,000.
Here’s where it gets even more controversial:
| Ticket Detail | Price |
| Original Price | $2,030 |
| Resale Price | $25,000 |
| FIFA Commission (30%) | $7,500 |
FIFA makes more than three times the original ticket price simply from commissions—without providing any additional service.
Did FIFA Stop Scalping or Take It In-House?
FIFA claimed its resale marketplace was designed to “clamp down on ticket touting.” But instead of preventing scalping, they appear to have centralized it—turning fan demand into a massive revenue stream.
Fans argue:
- Instead of stopping scalping, FIFA has legitimized it.
- They turned an illegal practice into an official revenue source.
- The promise of affordability has been overshadowed by aggressive profit motives.
What This Means for Fans
For millions of football fans around the world, attending a World Cup was once a lifelong dream. Yet under this system, affordable access is nearly impossible for the average fan. The combination of limited availability, unrestricted resale pricing, and high commissions has turned ticket buying into an elite marketplace controlled by FIFA.
Final Thoughts
The World Cup is still the most-watched event in global sports, but accessibility is slipping away. While FIFA promotes inclusivity, its ticketing system tells a different story—one driven by profit, not fairness.
Until face value caps, resale limits, and true fan-priority systems return, the ticketing model will continue to feel less like a celebration of the world’s game—and more like an exclusive marketplace.