Summary
- Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has strongly criticised FIFA over soaring ticket prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, accusing football’s governing body of pricing ordinary supporters out of the tournament.
- Brown compared current World Cup ticket prices with those of the previous European Championship final, claiming that some World Cup final tickets are up to 40 times more expensive.
- With the World Cup attracting millions of fans from around the globe, calls for fairer pricing are expected to grow as the tournament progresses.
Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has strongly criticised FIFA over soaring ticket prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, accusing football’s governing body of pricing ordinary supporters out of the tournament. Brown argued that the World Cup should remain accessible to loyal fans rather than becoming an event reserved for the wealthy.
Speaking to the media, the former Labour leader described the cost of tickets as “extortionate” and called for a full investigation into FIFA’s ticket pricing policies once the tournament concludes. He said football loses its true spirit when lifelong supporters are unable to afford seats at the sport’s biggest event.
Brown compared current World Cup ticket prices with those of the previous European Championship final, claiming that some World Cup final tickets are up to 40 times more expensive. He stressed that many dedicated fans who have followed their national teams for years have been effectively priced out of attending matches.
The criticism comes amid growing concerns from supporters, consumer groups, and public officials over FIFA’s handling of ticket sales. Many fans have complained about high prices, limited availability, and the increasing cost of attending matches in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the three host nations of the 2026 tournament.
Brown urged FIFA to ensure that affordable tickets are made available for ordinary families in future competitions. He insisted that football should remain a sport for everyone, regardless of financial status, and warned that excessive pricing risks damaging the relationship between the game and its supporters.
The controversy has added to mounting pressure on FIFA to review its ticketing strategy and improve transparency. With the World Cup attracting millions of fans from around the globe, calls for fairer pricing are expected to grow as the tournament progresses.
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