Saudi Arabia supporters who have travelled to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are reportedly being offered complimentary tickets to watch their national team, in a move that has attracted attention amid ongoing scrutiny of FIFA’s ticketing policies and concerns over high prices across the tournament. According to reports from The Mirror and The Sun, Saudi fans present in the United States will be eligible to receive free tickets for Saudi Arabia matches during the competition. The reports come at a time when ticket prices for some World Cup fixtures have sparked criticism from consumer groups, politicians and legal authorities in the United States.
Saudi Arabia announces complimentary tickets for travelling supporters
The reported scheme gained attention after Saudi Arabia’s official national team supporters’ group announced a ticket initiative ahead of the tournament, with the country’s embassy in Washington later sharing the message on social media.“The countdown begins for the FIFA World Cup! On this occasion, @SaudiNTFans is offering free tickets for Saudi National Team fans present in the US. We wish our national team the best of luck as it represents the Kingdom with pride, passion, and the full force of a nation behind them,” the Saudi embassy in Washington wrote while reposting the supporters’ group’s announcement.The supporters’ group also promoted the initiative with the message: “Attendance is on you, and the ticket is on us.”According to The Sun, supporters who have already travelled from Saudi Arabia to North America will be eligible to receive one complimentary ticket for Saudi Arabia matches during the tournament.The publication further reported that FIFA had approved the arrangement, although football’s governing body has not publicly commented on those reports.
Scheme arrives amid concerns over ticket prices
The reported ticket offer comes against the backdrop of growing debate surrounding the cost of attending World Cup matches. Supporters travelling to the United States, Canada and Mexico have faced significant expenses covering flights, accommodation, local transport and match tickets, with some seats for Saudi Arabia’s group-stage fixtures reportedly being listed for as much as $3,000 (£2,230). Saudi Arabia have been drawn in Group H and are scheduled to face Uruguay, Spain and Cape Verde during the opening phase of the tournament. The initiative is reportedly designed to encourage supporters to make the approximately 13-hour journey from the Middle East to support Georgios Donis’ side in person. The Sun reported that thousands of seats remained available for some matches despite premium ticket prices continuing to be advertised.
Legal challenges and criticism surrounding FIFA ticket sales
The reports have surfaced while FIFA faces growing criticism over its ticketing practices in the United States. New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport accused FIFA of creating what she described as a “gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity, and impossibly high prices” for consumers seeking tickets. “Being honest about ticket sales is not complicated, but FIFA has turned buying a ticket to the World Cup into a gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity, and impossibly high prices – all at the expense of consumers and hardworking New Jerseyans,” Davenport said.
President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino pose for a photo in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (Suzanne Plunkett, Pool Photo via AP)
New York Attorney General Letitia James has also criticised the ticketing process. “New Yorkers have been waiting years for the World Cup to come to their backyard, and they deserve a fair shot at affordable tickets. No one should be manipulated into paying sky-high prices for seats, and fans should be able to trust that the tickets they purchase will be the ones they receive,” James said. According to reports, legal action has been launched by state attorneys general amid concerns over ticket availability, pricing structures and consumer transparency.
Empty-seat fears continue to follow tournament build-up
The reported Saudi initiative has also reignited discussion around attendance expectations for the expanded 48-team tournament. The Sun drew comparisons with last year’s Club World Cup, where FIFA was forced to offer complimentary tickets in certain circumstances to help boost attendances. Industry observers have suggested ticket prices could fall closer to kick-off if demand does not meet expectations in certain markets, while some analysts believe other nations with smaller travelling fanbases could potentially explore similar supporter initiatives. For now, however, the reported Saudi Arabia scheme remains unique, offering travelling supporters a significant financial boost as they prepare to follow their team through a group containing Uruguay, Spain and Cape Verde.
Saudi Arabia preparing for difficult World Cup challenge
While the ticket initiative has generated headlines, Saudi Arabia’s focus remains on the pitch. Ranked 61st in the world, the Green Falcons face a difficult assignment in Group H, beginning their campaign against Uruguay before taking on Spain and Cape Verde. Should they progress beyond the group stage, Saudi Arabia could potentially earn a fourth match in the Round of 32, extending both their tournament journey and the value of the reported ticket programme for supporters who have made the trip to North America.
