World Cup Final Ticket Now Costs as Much as a Used Car

FIFA has once again raised ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup, with costs for some matches now reaching record highs.

In its latest sales window that opened on Wednesday, prices for 40 of the 104 games increased compared to earlier rounds. The sharpest jump is for the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the most expensive seats now cost $10,990 USD. That’s up from nearly $8,700 USD earlier this year and $6,370 USD when sales first began last year.

Tickets for popular teams such as Brazil, Argentina, England, Germany, and co‑host Mexico also saw increases. Mexico’s opening match against South Africa now costs as much as $2,985 USD, up from $2,355 in the last sales window and $1,825 when sales began.

The increases are part of FIFA’s use of “dynamic pricing”, a system similar to airlines and ride‑share apps that adjusts costs based on demand.

The hikes have drawn heavy criticism. A European fan group filed a complaint with the European Commission, calling the prices “exorbitant”. In the United States, Democratic lawmakers accused FIFA of “price gouging at the expense of the people who make the World Cup the most-watched sporting event in the world.”

FIFA has not responded to questions about the latest increases but has previously defended its pricing, citing strong demand and saying it is adapting to the North American market. The organisation insists most of the revenue goes back into growing soccer worldwide.

The 2026 World Cup will be the largest ever, with 48 teams playing across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June to July.