Fifa criticized for ‘deeply concerning’ approach to ticketing for fans with disabilities

In a reversal from previous tournaments, companion tickets come at significant cost for the 2026 World Cup.

Accessibility advocates are raising their concerns

• https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/mar/31/sign-up-for-the-world-behind-the-cup-a-newsletter-about-more-than-soccer">Sign up for the World Behind The Cup newsletter

Football fans with disabilities are struggling to buy companion tickets for World Cup games with some seats that had been assigned for caregivers appearing to be put on general sale.

The Guardian has uncovered significant issues with the World Cup ticket sales process for fans with disabilities, including:

Wheelchair users who have secured a match ticket being unable to buy an accompanying ticket for a caregiver

Companion seats being made available to buy in isolation, without proof of a prior wheelchair or accessible purchase, in stage four of Fifa’s sale process earlier this month

Wheelchair and accessible seating being priced higher than general admission tickets on Fifa’s official resale marketplace across a wide range of matches

An inability by Fifa to guarantee that fans who have bought companion tickets will be seated next to the wheelchair user they are accompanying