People with disabilities say they are being shut out of the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico because of ticketing and access policies that differ sharply from past tournaments.
Fans and rights campaigners point to several changes: there is no separate ticket ballot for people with disabilities, companions who formerly attended free are now being charged, accessible parking is not offered free or at reduced cost, and ticket prices are very high. The cost of tickets themselves is also a major barrier.
England fan Jo McNicol, who uses a wheelchair, had expected the tournament to be accessible based on previous experiences in the host countries. She bought a flight and rented a campervan but has been unable to secure tickets through FIFA’s ballot system and is unlikely to attend. At past events, such as the last World Cup in Qatar, fans with disabilities were allocated a proportion of tickets that could be purchased with proof of need. McNicol says that for 2026 anyone can buy an accessible ticket without proof, which she feels has allowed prices and availability to be driven up.
Critics say FIFA has been prioritizing profit: initial ticket prices were high, new premium categories were added without announcement, some seats were moved after purchase, transport and parking costs were raised, and a 15% levy is charged on a new resale portal. Reportedly, the cheapest tickets for disabled fans — typically in category 4 and located in the furthest parts of stadiums — appear unavailable, forcing them to buy category 3 and above via the resale portal. The BBC reported that the cheapest category 3 ticket for England’s opening match rose to $898 from a face value of $265.
James Flanagan of Football Supporters Europe said that in Qatar accessible tickets could be had for about $10, and described FIFA’s current policies as “a step back” that risks excluding people with disabilities. Charging for companion tickets effectively doubles costs for many fans who require assistance. Flanagan added that accessible parking is not discounted and can cost $150–$300 depending on the venue.
FIFA has not answered questions from press or from Football Supporters Europe, though its ticketing website confirms some of the practices fans have criticised. FIFA’s stated policy is 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.” McNicol and advocates say that guaranteeing adjacent companion seats is essential, because many disabled fans need help with basic tasks and want to sit beside someone they know, not strangers.
FIFA’s general accessibility guidelines state that disabled parking “should be provided and located next to the stadium or close by,” but do not require that parking be free or subsidised. For many fans, limited public transport to venues makes parking necessary, and the added parking fees compound the financial burden.
Advocates say the policies contradict FIFA’s commitments to inclusion and human rights and that fans with disabilities have not been properly consulted. With the tournament approaching, campaigners warn there is little time left to change the rules and fees that they say are effectively excluding disabled supporters.
Interviews and editing by: Dave Braneck