Next summer, devoted England fans might face expenses exceeding £2,400 to cheer for their team at the World Cup.

Two weeks ago, the initial release of tickets for the 2026 tournament hit the market, with reports indicating a sharp increase in prices compared to the previous event in Qatar.

Ticket prices begin at $60 (£45) and can soar to an eye-watering $6,730 (£5,078), thanks to FIFA’s controversial ‘dynamic pricing’ strategy, which adjusts costs based on real-time demand.

The cheapest seats for the opening match start at $370 (£279), while premium seats reach $1,825 (£1,377), a significant rise from the $55 (£42) and $618 (£466) rates seen three years ago.

For the final at New York’s MetLife Stadium, initial pricing is anticipated to be $2,030 (£1,531), with the average cost approaching $4,000 (£2,973).

England fans could be forced to fork out more than £2,400 to watch their team at next summer’s World Cup

The final in New York’s MetLife Stadium is forecast to start at $2,030 (£1,531), with the average price nearing $4,000 (£2,973)

This steep pricing has sparked outrage, with the Football Supporters’ Association Free Lions Fans’ Embassy team, who loyally follow England globally, raising concerns.

The group have argued the pricing structure risks excluding ordinary fans, warning of the most expensive tournament ever for match-going supporters.

‘These prices are astonishing,’ the team said in a statement. ‘If the cheapest ticket turns out to be $2,000 for the final, that is an unbelievable outlay for a game you’ve no idea if you’ll qualify for.

‘If fans are successful in obtaining a category four ticket from the first game to the last, that could set you back $3,180 at least. 

‘That is more than double what Qatar cost. Combined with travel to the Americas and accommodation, this will be the most expensive World Cup for match-going fans we’ve ever seen by some distance.’

The group urged the FA to lobby FIFA ‘to keep this World Cup financially accessible for match-going fans’, insisting that the governing body must guarantee a fair share of the cheapest tickets unaffected by host-city location or dynamic pricing.

Dynamic pricing, which caused uproar when used for the Oasis reunion tour earlier this year, was piloted by FIFA at the Club World Cup in the United States. 

A lack of demand limited price surges there, but similar restraint appears unlikely at football’s biggest tournament, particularly for England fixtures and major knockout games.

Dynamic pricing, which caused uproar when used for the Oasis reunion tour earlier this year, was piloted by FIFA at the Club World Cup in the United States

Most loyal England followers, those in the England Supporters Travel Club (ESTC), will be protected from such fluctuations thanks to a fixed allocation sold directly through the FA. 

Allocations will be confirmed after December’s draw, but previous tournaments suggest a few thousand seats per match. Members will be limited to one ticket per game, with priority decided by attendance caps.

Those left to buy on FIFA’s general site face additional costs. The governing body has authorised ticket resales above face value, taking a 15 per cent fee from both buyer and seller. 

On the first resale day, some seats were listed for tens of thousands of pounds.

Adding to the anger is FIFA’s ‘Right to Buy’ token scheme, charging up to $999 (£751) to guarantee access to expensive categories – a move accused of favouring wealthier fans.

FIFA has defended its policy, saying: ‘The pricing model adopted generally reflects the existing and developing market practice in our co-hosts. 

‘We are focused on ensuring fair access to our game for existing but also prospective fans, offering group-stage tickets starting at $60.

Diagrams showing category-four ticket locations are not to scale and not a true reflection of the number available.

Thomas Tuchel’s men booked their place at the expanded tournament in style with a 5-0 win over Latvia on Tuesday night

‘FIFA can confirm it will retain ring-fenced allocations at fixed prices,’ the statement added. ‘The resale platform provides a safe and secure method to sell or purchase tickets as permitted by US legislation.’

With England’s place already secured, supporters are counting the cost and hoping the FA can ease the financial blow before the World Cup kicks off next summer.