Khaberni - Media reports disclosed that the International Federation of Association Football "FIFA" determined astronomical rental prices for parking spaces during the 2026 World Cup.
The British newspaper, The Athletic, mentioned that the International Federation of Association Football sparked widespread controversy after revealing the high prices it set for parking during the 2026 World Cup matches, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
According to the newspaper, the price of a single parking spot ranges from 75 to 175 dollars per day, depending on its proximity to the stadium and the phase of the match being held.
These prices are unprecedented in World Cup tournaments, as the report indicated that the parking ticket price for the group stage alone, which is 75 dollars, exceeds the price of a third-category ticket to attend any group stage match of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, which was sold for only 69 dollars.
It pointed out that the significant increase in prices has raised questions among fans about the pricing policy FIFA follows in organizing the tournament, especially since the next edition will witness widespread distribution of stadiums across three countries, meaning an increase in transportation and accommodation costs for fans coming from various parts of the world.
Observers believe that the new prices reflect the massive commercial orientation accompanying the organization of the 2026 World Cup, which is expected to be the largest in history in terms of the number of teams, matches, and revenues.
However, some have warned that such decisions could negatively impact the fans' experience and increase the financial burdens on fans wishing to follow the matches from the stands.
It is noteworthy that the 2026 World Cup will be the first to be held with the participation of 48 national teams, distributed across 16 groups, which doubles the scale of organization and logistical costs, yet the high pricing for basic services like parking spaces reflects the challenge "FIFA" faces in achieving a balance between economic returns and ensuring the tournament reaches a broad audience without financial exaggerations that cause dissatisfaction.
