Keir Starmer has urged FIFA to make World Cup tickets more accessible, arguing that a recent $60 price concession is insufficient to prevent the tournament from losing touch with loyal supporters.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on FIFA to further reduce World Cup ticket prices following a minor concession from football’s world governing body.
FIFA recently announced that 10 percent of the participant member association allocation for each match would be priced at $60, including the final.
This move follows an intense public outcry after fans discovered that the cheapest tickets for the final were originally set at over £3,000.
Sharing his own history as a fan, Starmer welcomed the lower-priced tickets but insisted they do not go far enough.
“I encourage FIFA to do more to make tickets more affordable so that the World Cup doesn’t lose touch with the genuine supporters who make the game so special,” the Prime Minister stated on X.
Fan groups have echoed this sentiment, labeling the current $60 price point for a tiny fraction of tickets an “appeasement tactic.”
The Football Supporters’ Association noted that even with the discount, 90 percent of loyal fans still face “ridiculous prices,” with England supporters potentially needing £5,000 to follow their team to the final.
FIFA defended the model, citing “sky high” demand and more than 20 million ticket requests. However, critics argue the lack of affordable options for disabled fans and the general majority of attendees remains a “monumental betrayal” of the sport’s core base.