The Scottish Football Union condemns FIFA World Cup Ticketing arrangements and processes

The Scottish Football Union shares the growing alarm across Europe regarding recent decisions taken by FIFA ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Supporters, fan groups and national associations have raised serious and legitimate concerns about affordability, transparency and the standards expected of those entrusted with leading the global game. This statement sets out our official position: for a more detailed argument about the issues, please see this article.

Ticket Pricing and Supporter Access

The steep escalation in ticket prices risks shutting ordinary supporters out of the World Cup. Scotland’s fans have earned global respect for their loyalty, their conduct and their contribution to football culture. Pricing them out is unacceptable. Major tournaments must remain accessible, and we support immediate reconsideration of the current pricing model to restore fairness, clarity and basic respect for supporters.

Allocation Process and National Association Quotas

The current ticket allocation process has further undermined confidence. National associations — the organisations responsible for stewarding supporter travel, safety and representation — have been given allocations that are far below what is reasonable for a tournament of this scale. Such limited quotas make it impossible to meet demand from committed travelling supporters and raise serious questions about how FIFA is prioritising access. A World Cup cannot be delivered credibly if the very supporters who follow their national teams around the world are pushed to the margins. Allocation levels must be reviewed urgently, with a transparent process that recognises the role and needs of national associations and the supporters they represent.

Governance and Neutrality

Recent developments underline a deeper issue: the need for genuine neutrality and responsible governance within FIFA. Decisions taken at the highest level must reinforce trust, not erode it. Football’s leadership must meet the same standards of integrity, accountability and impartiality that it demands from everyone else in the sport. Anything less damages the credibility of the global game.

Our Position

The Scottish Football Union will continue to press for transparency, supporter access and integrity in world football. We will work with partners in Scotland and across Europe to ensure Scottish (and other countries’) supporters are treated with dignity and that their voice is heard and respected in every relevant forum. The interests of supporters cannot be an afterthought — they must be central to how the World Cup is delivered.

Stuart Murphy, CEO, Scottish Football Union