FIFA is facing fresh controversy ahead of the 2026 World Cup after it emerged that supporters could be charged more for parking over a mile away than for some match tickets.
The governing body has already drawn heavy criticism over ticket pricing for the expanded tournament, particularly from England supporter groups, and this latest revelation now risks further backlash ahead of the summer.
With the tournament set to be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico, concerns are growing around the spiralling costs that will price out traditional travelling fans.
How much are FIFA charging for parking tickets at the 2026 World Cup?
At the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles – one of the tournament's flagship venues – fans will have to pay between $250 (£185) and $300 (£220) per matchday, per vehicle.
That fee applies even though many of the official parking areas are located more than a mile from the venue, meaning fans will still need to walk a significant distance despite paying a premium price.
SoFi, home to the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers, will host eight matches at the 2026 World Cup, including the USMNT opener and a quarter-final.
A category three ticket to one of the six group games, such as New Zealand vs Iran, will cost around $180 (£132).
When questioned about the pricing, a FIFA spokesperson told The Athletic:
“Parking prices are determined based on local market conditions and benchmarking against comparable major events previously held in each host city.”
FGG says: 2026 World Cup becoming a nightmare for travelling supporters
This pricing structure will undoubtedly cause further discontent among supporters looking to head out to the 2026 World Cup this summer, largely because it adds yet another unavoidable cost to supporting their nation.
The problem isn't just confined to Los Angeles, with other host cities like Miami also proving to be a logistical nightmare, as recently seen during last year's Club World Cup.
For many fans, these challenges will reinforce the perception that supporter experience is taking a back seat to profit.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino recently claimed that the tournament would generate around $11 billion, and ultimately, this level of greed will only impact the going supporter.
For fans hoping to attend what should be a once-in-a-lifetime event, the growing financial burden is surely turning excitement into anxiety, and it should raise serious questions about whom the 2026 World Cup is really for.