FIFA has introduced new, higher-priced ticket categories for the upcoming World Cup, with prices reaching as high as $4,105 for a front category 1 seat at the U.S. opener against Paraguay in Inglewood, California, scheduled for June 12. This marks a significant increase from the previous top price of $2,735 for category 1 tickets for the same match.

New Ticket Pricing Structure

In addition to the front category 1 tickets, FIFA has also rolled out a front category 2 tier, which ranges from $1,940 to $2,330 for the U.S. opener. These changes were first reported by The Athletic, and FIFA has not publicly announced the new pricing structure. The World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 across 16 cities in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

According to FIFA's ticket information released on September 9, category 1 tickets are described as "the highest-priced seats, located primarily in the lower tier," while category 2 tickets are "positioned outside of category 1 areas, available in both lower and upper tiers." FIFA has not responded to inquiries regarding the new ticket categories.

Increased Prices for Key Matches

FIFA has also set prices for other matches, including front category 1 seats at $3,360 for Canada’s opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina, also on June 12, in Toronto. For the round-of-16 games, tickets are priced at $905 in Philadelphia. Furthermore, the ticket price for the World Cup final has surged to $10,990, up from $8,680 after a glitch-affected sales reopening. The category 2 tickets for the final have increased to $7,380, while category 3 tickets are now priced at $5,785.

Currently, no tickets for the final appear to be available on FIFA's ticketing site. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has asserted that all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup will be sold out. Following initial criticism from fans regarding the high costs, a "supporters-tier" category of tickets was introduced in December.