Ticketing Barriers for Disabled Fans at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Fans using wheelchairs or assistants have found companion tickets appearing on the general-sale market, and FIFA cannot guarantee adjacent seating. Reports focus on stadiums in the United States and Canada.

The Guardian

For the 2026 tournament FIFA introduced paid companion tickets, ending the previous free-of-charge practice. Its resale marketplace charges a 15 % commission on both sides, widening price gaps for disabled supporters.

The Guardian

A wheelchair-amenity seat sold for US $525 in November 2025, but the fan could not secure a companion ticket. In Dallas, standard Category 3 tickets for England’s opening match were US $1,150, while easy-access tickets began at US $3,100. Some U.S. venues allocated four companion seats per wheelchair user, creating oversupply on the market during the fourth sales stage.

The Guardian

FIFA officials said U.S. law blocks vendors from requesting proof of disability and prohibits price caps, limiting FIFA’s control over the resale platform. FIFA’s ticketing terms say companions will be seated as close as possible, but exact location cannot be guaranteed.

The Guardian

Level Playing Field warned the reversal forces disabled supporters to pay double for essential assistance. Football Supporters Europe said the system enables speculation and exploitation, jeopardising the tournament’s inclusivity claim.

The Guardian

Mexico assigns no companion seats; wheelchair ticket-holders must purchase an extra ticket at checkout, and FIFA has not set a timeline for North America fixes.

The Guardian

• “For many disabled supporters, attending with a PA is an essential access requirement, which they are now being asked to pay double their entry fee for.” — Tony Taylor, chair, Level Playing Field

The Guardian

• “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.” — FIFA Ticketing Terms and Conditions

The Guardian

• “enables speculation and exploitation” — Football Supporters Europe

The Guardian

• “Despite concerns over inaccessibility being raised with Fifa more than four months ago, the necessary action has still not been taken and effective communication with disabled supporters has been severely lacking. This failure to act on inclusion, alongside key backwards steps, puts equality at risk for a tournament which claims to be the most inclusive to date.” — Football Supporters Europe

The Guardian

Level Playing Field and Football Supporters Europe plan dialogue with FIFA and have lodged complaints with the European Commission. They urge FIFA to revise the companion-ticket policy, add price caps for accessible seats, and create a mechanism to guarantee adjacent seating before the tournament opens.

The Guardian