Fifa is facing mounting criticism after tickets for the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup were observed selling for as high as $10,990, marking what is believed to be the most expensive general admission ticket in football history.

The pricing, revealed during the first open ticket sale on Wednesday, represents a sharp increase from earlier projections and has reignited concerns over accessibility for ordinary fans.

In the original joint bid submitted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, organisers had indicated that the most expensive final ticket would cost no more than $1,550. However, prices have steadily risen through successive sales phases, reaching $8,680 during a December release before climbing again in the latest round.

The final ticket price now far exceeds that of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final in Qatar, where top-category seats were priced at approximately $1,604.

Fifa has not publicly disclosed its full ticket pricing structure, instead adopting a dynamic pricing model in which costs fluctuate based on demand at each sales phase. This approach has made it difficult to determine the exact number of tickets available at each price tier.

Observed data from the latest sale shows significant increases across all categories. Category two tickets rose from $5,575 to $7,380, while category three climbed from $4,185 to $5,785, reflecting increases of over 30 percent.

Fans attempting to purchase tickets also encountered technical issues and long delays. Some users were mistakenly directed to restricted sales pages intended for specific supporter groups, forcing them to rejoin queues that lasted more than six hours in some cases.

Availability appeared limited for high-profile matches. At one stage, none of England or Scotland’s fixtures were accessible, and only one match involving a top-10 seeded team was listed.

Group-stage ticket prices ranged from $140 to nearly $3,000, with an average of about $358. Premium hospitality packages were also offered, including a luxury suite for an England versus Panama match priced at $124,800 for 24 guests.

Fifa has indicated that additional tickets may be released closer to match dates, but its resale platform—set to reopen with a 15 percent service charge for both buyers and sellers—is expected to push prices even higher.

Further criticism has emerged over accessibility provisions, with no complimentary tickets provided for companions of wheelchair users, who are required to pay full price and may not be seated together.

The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the largest in World Cup history, featuring 48 teams and an expanded match schedule.