FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket prices see major increases across all match types and categories compared to 2022 Qatar tournament

FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket prices have seen a significant increase across all match categories compared to Qatar 2022, marking a dramatic shift in affordability for fans ahead of the tournament to be co-hosted by USA, Mexico, and Canada.

Also read: Tinubu congratulates Dele Alake, praises his patriotism

The opening match for 2026 will cost up to $2,735 (Category 1) — a staggering 342% increase from $618 in 2022.

Even Category 4, the most affordable, has jumped from $55 to $560, more than ten times higher.

🔍 Price comparison by match type (Cat 1 shown for top-level view):

Match Type	2022 (Cat 1)	2026 (Cat 1)	% Increase
Opening Match	$618	$2,735	+343%
Group Matches	$220	$575	+161%
Round of 16	$275	$890	+223%
Quarterfinals	$426	$1,690	+297%
Semifinals	$956	$2,780	+191%
Third-Place Match	$426	$1,000	+135%
Final Match	$1,607	$6,370	+296%

In every category, from premium to the most basic, fans will need to budget significantly more:

Category 2 for the final jumps from $1,003 (2022) to $4,210 (2026)
Category 3 increases from $604 to $2,790
Category 4, typically reserved for residents or locals, surges from $206 to $2,030

These increases reflect higher operational costs, wider stadium capacities, and the expanded 48-team format.

However, they may also raise concerns over accessibility and inclusivity, particularly for fans from lower-income backgrounds.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be historic in scale, but it also looks set to be the most expensive World Cup for spectators to date.

Also read: Tinubu congratulates Dele Alake, praises his patriotism

Fans planning to attend multiple matches — especially the knockout stages — will need to plan their budgets carefully. The cost of attending just the final match could exceed $6,000 for a top-tier seat.