Former British Prime Minister urges inquiry into FIFA over 2026 World Cup ticket “scandal”

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for serious questions to be asked about FIFA's ticket pricing after attending Scotland's 2026 World Cup campaign, describing the cost of following teams in North America as a “scandal”.

Brown praised both Steve Clarke's side and the Tartan Army, but said ordinary supporters are increasingly being priced out of football's biggest tournament.

Gordon Brown calls for FIFA ticket pricing inquiry

Talking to LBC after returning from Scotland's opening 2026 World Cup match against Haiti in Boston, Brown said the atmosphere created by the Tartan Army had been one of the highlights of the tournament.

He praised the travelling supporters for the way they represented Scotland, joking that they had “managed to drink Boston drier than it was during Prohibition in the 1920s,” while also leaving a positive impression by cleaning up after themselves.

However, Brown said the experience also exposed what he described as one of the tournament's biggest failings.

“The ticket prices are a scandal,” he wrote.

Brown revealed he was fortunate enough to obtain tickets through a friend, but said many genuine supporters had been priced out altogether.

He argued FIFA should answer serious questions over why prices have risen so dramatically compared to previous World Cups, adding that the costs extended well beyond admission.

Supporters, he noted, were paying around $18 (£13.50) for a beer or even bottled water inside stadiums, while also facing lengthy queues to enter venues.

Brown warned that football risks losing its identity if ordinary supporters can no longer afford to attend the world's biggest tournament.

He also urged FIFA to invest more of its World Cup revenues into grassroots football across the world, saying young people should benefit far more from the wealth generated by the competition.

FGG says: The ordinary fan has little chance

Brown's criticism echoes what thousands of supporters from England, Scotland and many other nations have been saying throughout this tournament.

Between inflated ticket prices, expensive hotels, eye-watering transport costs and even basic matchday expenses, following your country at this World Cup has become a luxury that many lifelong supporters simply cannot afford.

FIFA will point to unprecedented demand, but there is a growing feeling that the balance has shifted too far away from the ordinary fan.

If future World Cups are to remain true celebrations of football, affordability has to become part of the conversation.