Supporters with disabilities and campaigners say many will be shut out of the 2026 World Cup across the US, Canada and Mexico because of ticketing and access rules that differ sharply from previous tournaments. They point to a cluster of changes that together raise costs and reduce certainty for disabled fans.
Among the concerns: there is no separate ticket ballot reserved for people with disabilities; companion tickets that were once free are now charged; accessible parking is not offered free or at reduced rates; and ticket prices across the board are high. The price of tickets themselves is a major barrier for many.
England fan Jo McNicol, who uses a wheelchair, said she expected the tournament to be accessible after positive experiences in past host countries. She bought flights and rented a campervan, but was unable to secure tickets through FIFA’s ballot and now expects she will not be able to attend. At some recent events — the last World Cup in Qatar was cited — a proportion of tickets for people with disabilities were allocated and could be purchased on provision of proof of need. Organisers for 2026, by contrast, allow anyone to buy an accessible ticket without proof, a change McNicol says has let prices and availability be driven up.
Critics accuse FIFA of prioritising profit. They note that initial ticket prices were high, that new premium categories were added without clear notice, that some purchasers later had seat locations changed, that transport and parking costs at venues have risen, and that a 15% fee is charged on a new resale portal. Campaigners say the cheapest seats typically allocated to disabled supporters — category 4 tickets, usually furthest from the pitch — appear unavailable, pushing them toward category 3 or higher on the resale market. The BBC reported that the cheapest category 3 ticket for England’s opening match climbed to $898 on resale from a face value of $265.
James Flanagan of Football Supporters Europe said accessible tickets at the Qatar World Cup could be bought for roughly $10 and described current policies as ‘a step back’ that risks excluding disabled people. Charging for companion tickets effectively doubles the cost for many supporters who need assistance. Advocates also highlighted accessible parking fees, which are not discounted and can range from about $150 to $300 depending on the venue — a significant additional expense where public transport to stadiums is limited.
FIFA has not responded to questions from the press or to Football Supporters Europe. Its ticketing website, however, confirms some of the practices that have provoked criticism. FIFA states that companions ‘will be seated as close to you as possible. However, the exact seat location cannot be guaranteed, and FIFA Ticketing cannot ensure that it will be immediately adjacent to your seat.’ Campaigners say guaranteeing adjacent seats is essential because many disabled fans rely on known companions to assist with basic needs and do not want to be placed next to strangers.
FIFA’s general accessibility guidance says disabled parking ‘should be provided and located next to the stadium or close by’ but does not require parking to be free or subsidised. Advocates argue the combination of removed protections, added fees and limited consultation contradicts FIFA’s commitments to inclusion and human rights. With the tournament approaching, campaigners warn there is little time to change the ticketing rules and fees they say are effectively excluding many disabled supporters.
Interviews and editing by: Dave Braneck