A group of football fans are calling on FIFA to stop selling tickets for next year’s World Cup due to the ‘excessive’ costs.
According to Football Supporters Europe (FSE) – which represents fans across the continent – tickets for the competition in the United States, Canada and Mexico, which runs between June 11 and July 19, will be almost five times more expensive than the 2022 edition in Qatar.
“Football supporters in Europe are surprised by the excessive ticket prices that FIFA is imposing on the most dedicated supporters for next year’s World Cup,” the fan organization said on Thursday.
It said the price of tickets allocated to national associations – typically distributed through official supporters groups or loyalty programs to their most dedicated fans – was reaching “astronomical” levels.
“Based on the information currently available to FSE, if a supporter were to follow their team from the first match to the final… it would cost them a minimum of $6,900,” the group said.
“We call on FIFA to immediately halt ticket sales, enter into consultation with all parties involved, and review ticket prices and category allocation until a solution is found that respects the tradition, universality and cultural significance of the World Cup.”
FSE said World Cup organizers had promised much cheaper costs for the tournament, citing tickets priced from $21 in a bidding document released in 2018.
“Where are these tickets now?” it asked.
“According to the same bid book, the full route to the final would cost $2,242 in the cheapest category. This promise has long since evaporated.”
For Australian viewers, the World Cup kicks off with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on June 12 at 5am AEST.
The Australian Socceroos will take on the winners of a European play-off on June 14, followed by matches against the US on June 20 and Paraguay on June 25.
#Extortionate #fans #calling #halt #World #Cup #ticket #sales