Anger among England supporters has intensified after details emerged of the costs fans could face to follow the national team at the 2026 World Cup.
Members of the England Supporters Travel Club (ESTC) have now formally urged the Football Association to take decisive action, warning that ticket prices risk excluding the very fans who have followed the team loyally for years.
Concerns escalated after it became clear that supporters could be forced to spend more than £5,000 to attend all of England’s matches should Thomas Tuchel’s side reach the final.
The cheapest ticket for the showpiece match alone is expected to cost £3,128, a figure that has stunned travelling fans.
The backlash has gone beyond online frustration, with fans taking their complaints directly to the authorities in charge of football.
A letter sent directly to the FA’s chair and chief executive by an ESTC member has laid bare the growing sense of alienation felt by supporters, many of whom have accumulated loyalty points over multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
With England drawn alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L, fans say excitement for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico has been replaced by anxiety over affordability and a perceived lack of communication from the FA.
Supporters demand FA intervention on 2026 World Cup ticket prices
In the letter, the ESTC member called on the FA to actively challenge FIFA over pricing, describing this as “the only action that could work”. They warned that the current situation is already having real-world consequences for supporters planning to travel next summer.
“Family trips next summer [have been] put into jeopardy,” the letter stated, adding that some fans are now “contemplating ways to take on debt in order to follow the team they love”.
The supporter also suggested that years of dedication to England and the ESTC are now being undermined.
Quoting legendary former Celtic manager Jock Stein, the fan wrote: “Football is nothing without its fans,” before accusing the FA of troubling inaction.
“Right now, the lack of action and communication on your part, towards and on behalf of England fans, is troubling.”
The letter also questioned why supporters have not been addressed directly, raising suspicions that any discussion with FIFA may be limited.
“Why can’t you talk to us directly?” it asked, suggesting that the FA’s broader ambitions – including a potential bid to host the Women’s World Cup in 2035 – may be influencing its approach.
2026 World Cup dream at risk for loyal fans
The pricing structure has reignited a wider debate about who major tournaments are really for. Fans point out that loyalty schemes such as the ESTC are designed to reward long-term commitment, yet the current costs appear to do the opposite.
With prices dwarfing those seen at recent tournaments, including Euro 2024, supporters fear that the World Cup risks becoming an event only accessible to a small, wealthy minority.
Many now believe the FA must take a stronger public stance to protect England fans from being priced out.
As pressure builds, supporters are waiting to see whether the FA will respond with clarity, or whether frustration will continue to grow.
FGG Says
England supporters are not asking for special treatment, they are asking to be heard. Loyalty schemes mean little if fans cannot afford to attend the biggest tournament of all. The FA must now decide whether it stands with its travelling supporters or accepts a World Cup priced beyond their reach.