Concerns Over Ticket Access for Disabled Fans at the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup is set to be historic, featuring 48 teams for the first time. However, significant concerns have emerged regarding ticket access for disabled supporters, which a charity has deemed “unacceptable.”

Disabled fans are facing higher costs to attend matches due to the absence of tickets in the lowest-priced tier of the general allocation designated for them. Moreover, personal assistants accompanying disabled fans are required to purchase full-price tickets rather than being offered free or concession rates. FIFA has stated that there is no guarantee that personal assistants will be seated next to the disabled fans they accompany.

Furthermore, there remains uncertainty regarding the number of tickets available for wheelchair users and the adequacy of easy-access spaces. Level Playing Field, a charity advocating for disabled fans, has expressed its frustration after raising serious concerns with FIFA over three weeks ago without receiving a response. The organization has now taken the step of contacting national governing bodies and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

Tony Taylor, chair of Level Playing Field, remarked, “This ongoing uncertainty over accessible ticketing is unacceptable. The current situation appears to expect disabled fans to gamble on cost and access. Planning, personal assistants, and pricing are vital considerations for disabled fans, as repeatedly indicated in Level Playing Field’s Annual Fan Survey data.”

He further criticized the current approach, stating, “Restricting access to the lowest pricing tiers and charging for personal assistants adds unavoidable, additional, disability-related costs to attending. Instead of addressing the issue and communicating effectively with supporters, the response has been to delay and ignore.”

FIFA has been approached for comment regarding these pressing concerns. The governing body of world football has faced significant criticism for its high pricing structure during this summer’s event hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Although FIFA eventually responded to public pressure by releasing a limited number of “more affordable” $60 (£45) tickets for general fans across all 104 matches, no similar provisions have been made for disabled fans.

Additionally, England supporters have not fully utilized their general ticket allocation for the final and semi-final matches due to pricing concerns, with around 90% of tickets for the final offered to the FA costing £3,094.