Match tickets originally purchased by England fans for Sunday’s World Cup last‑16 showdown against Mexico have reappeared on FIFA’s official resale platform for thousands of pounds, prompting sharp criticism from supporter groups.
The Football Association confirmed the tickets were first allocated to members of the England Supporters’ Travel Club through a ballot in December. They became eligible for resale on Wednesday after England secured their place in the knockout stage with a 2-1 win over DR Congo.
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) condemned the inflated pricing structure, accusing FIFA of enabling profiteering.
“FIFA has deliberately designed an online exchange which allows tickets to be sold at vastly inflated prices, with world football’s governing body grabbing 15% of the money from both the buyer and the seller,” the FSA told the BBC. “While we have always called out FIFA for ripping off fans at this World Cup, we can’t excuse supporters who choose to tout their own tickets at ridiculous prices either.”
FIFA defended its approach in an earlier statement, saying its variable pricing model aligns with broader sports and entertainment industry trends. The organisation argues the system “optimises sales and attendance” by adjusting prices to reflect “fair market value.”
The controversy adds to growing frustration among travelling supporters, many of whom say the resale platform has become inaccessible due to extreme mark‑ups. The user should confirm this information with a trusted source.
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