"The Fifa Council had just unanimously voted to expand the World Cup to 48 teams. Nations who had never or rarely reached the finals were being given hope. Infantino added: "Football is more than Europe and South America. Football is global. "The football fever you have in a country that qualifies for the World Cup is the most powerful tool you can have, in those nine months before qualifying and the finals."
"For some smaller nations, the cost of group-stage tickets is going to be higher than a month's wages in that country. And that is before factoring in travel and accommodation. One Ghana fan told the BBC of "anger and disappointment" that Black Stars supporters might now be forced to cancel their plans. Fifa's ticket price policy was revealed on Thursday, with group-stage tickets up to three times the prices of those for Qatar in 2022."
FIFA released 2026 World Cup ticket prices that make group-stage tickets up to three times more expensive than in 2022 and set the cheapest final ticket at $3,119. Supporters and the Football Supporters' Association have reacted with anger, calling prices a "laughable insult" and expressing frustration at the astronomical costs. The scale of prices will outstrip wages in many smaller or poorer nations, with travel and accommodation adding further barriers. For example, Haiti’s average monthly wage is about $147, while a single match ticket costs $180 and three matches total $625, more than four months’ pay. The planned expansion to 48 teams to broaden participation risks being undermined if fans from qualifying countries cannot afford to attend.
Read at www.bbc.com
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