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Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has launched a scathing assessment of the 2026 World Cup, claiming the tournament repeatedly failed the fans it was meant to serve.
The organisation has also called for a major overhaul of FIFA's governance ahead of the 2030 World Cup.
Football Supporters Europe condemn FIFA after failing supporters
FSE, the independent supporters' organisation recognised by UEFA and the Council of Europe, has branded FIFA “unfit to govern global football” following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup.
In a strongly worded statement, FSE argued the tournament prioritised commercial interests over the match-going supporter experience, accusing FIFA of creating “confusion and distrust” through its handling of ticketing, travel, accessibility and governance.
The group criticised historically high ticket prices, dynamic pricing and FIFA's official resale platform, claiming supporters were subjected to “minimum certainty, maximum exploitation”.
It also highlighted rising transport costs and said disabled supporters were poorly served after accessible tickets were allegedly resold for profit without adequate protections.
FSE further argued that FIFA's vision of a “World Cup for all” failed to materialise, pointing to travel restrictions, visa issues affecting supporters, officials and journalists, and concerns that discouraged many LGBT+ fans from attending the tournament.
The organisation also criticised several tournament decisions, including extended half-time entertainment, advertising breaks and what it described as political interference, before calling for structural reforms that would return greater decision-making powers to FIFA's Council and Congress while increasing consultation with clubs, leagues, players and supporters.
Looking ahead, FSE said its attention now turns to the six co-hosts of the 2030 World Cup, urging Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to place supporters at the centre of tournament planning from the outset.
FGG says: A significant and necessary challenge to FIFA
FSE's statement represents one of the strongest public criticisms of FIFA from an internationally recognised supporters' body following the tournament.
Whether FIFA responds with meaningful reforms remains to be seen, but the concerns raised are unlikely to disappear quickly.
Attention now shifts to preparations for 2030 – with six host nations and another expanded tournament on the horizon, organisers will come under pressure to show they have learned lessons from the issues highlighted after 2026.