FIFA’s Treatment of Disabled Supporters at 2026 World Cup Criticized

Charity Voices Concerns

A charity has expressed that FIFA’s lack of action regarding ticket access for disabled fans at the upcoming 2026 World Cup is “unacceptable.”

Issues with Ticket Access

Disabled attendees will face higher expenses since no tickets in the general allocation’s lowest price tier are available for them. Additionally, personal assistants accompanying these fans will have to purchase tickets at full price, without the option for free or discounted rates. FIFA has stated that it cannot assure that personal assistants will sit next to the disabled supporters they are accompanying.

Furthermore, there is ambiguity surrounding how many tickets will be allocated for wheelchair users and the availability of accessible seating options.

Unanswered Concerns

The advocacy group Level Playing Field has informed FIFA of serious concerns over these issues more than three weeks ago but has yet to receive a reply. The organization has subsequently reached out to 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.” He highlighted the predicament that disabled fans are being put in, essentially expected to “gamble” on ticket prices and access.

Taylor stressed that “planning, personal assistants, and pricing” are crucial factors for disabled supporters, as indicated in Level Playing Field’s Annual Fan Survey. He pointed out that restricting access to lower-priced tickets and charging for personal assistants contributes to unavoidable and additional costs related to disability for attending matches.

He further criticized FIFA’s lack of effective communication and action, stating, “Instead of addressing the issue and communicating with supporters effectively, the current response has only been to delay and ignore.”

FIFA’s Track Record on Pricing

FIFA has been contacted for a comment on the matter. The organization has faced significant backlash for its pricing strategy during this summer’s event in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

In response to criticism, it eventually offered a limited number of “more affordable” tickets priced at $60 (£45) for all 104 matches. However, similar accommodations have not been provided for disabled fans.

Issues of ticket affordability have also impacted England supporters, who have not fully utilized their general ticket allocation for the final and semi-final matches due to high prices. Approximately 90% of tickets for the final made available to the Football Association cost £3,094.