Just when fans thought the road to the 2026 World Cup couldn’t get any more expensive, FIFA has moved the goalposts, Yankee Scores reports. 

The Rise of the “Front Category”: An Unannounced Price Hike

FIFA has released new and more expensive ticket tiers for the upcoming World Cup matches.

The USA and Paraguay game in California on June 12, may cost up to $4,105 in front Category 1 seats.

Last week, FIFA had already established a top price for Category 1 tickets for that game, putting them at $2,735. However, the organization has also introduced a new “front category”.

It also quietly released another new “front category” for Category 2 tickets. The prices ranging from $1,940 to $2,330 for the U.S. opener, revealed by The Athletic.

The World Cup is to take place from June 11 to July 19 in 16 venues across the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

According to FIFA dated September 9, “Category 1 is the highest priced seating, generally located in the lower deck”. However, it appears some seats were not assigned to this category.

The second category was defined as “seating outside of Category 1 areas and located in both lower and upper decks”.

However, FIFA officials refused to comment on their decision when emailed.

FIFA has also announced additional Category 1 tickets up to $3,360 for Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12.

Additional $905 Category 1 tickets were added to the round-of-16 games in Philadelphia.

The $11,000 Final: USA vs. France Reaches Record Heights

Last week, FIFA increased the top price for the final of the World Cup to $10,990 while reopening ticket sales that saw several glitches. Previously, the price for this game was $8,680 following the draw back in December.

FIFA Category 2 tickets for the final between USA and France at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19 now cost $7,380 (previously $5,575), while Category 3 tickets cost $5,785 (previously $4,185).

As of Thursday, no tickets for the final were available at FIFA’s official website.