Statement: World Cup 2026, US Visas and Ticket Pricing
The World Cup represents the absolute pinnacle of our game. For the football community, these tournaments are not just events; they are life-defining experiences that create memories to last a lifetime.
As the independent voice for supporters in Australia, we strongly encourage every fan who has the means to travel to North America in 2026 to do so. We want to see the stands awash with Green and Gold, spurring on the Socceroos and showing the world the passion of Australian football.
However, while we celebrate the spectacle, we must also lead the conversation regarding the significant barriers facing our community—specifically regarding US entry requirements and extortionate ticket pricing.
The FSAA notes with concern recent indications that the incoming United States administration intends to examine the social media history and personal details of visa applicants. This includes Australian supporters hoping to attend the World Cup.
While we condemn hate speech and dangerous rhetoric, and understand the need for security measures, we strongly oppose the vague entry criteria that threatens to penalise supporters for lawfully expressing their political views online.
Furthermore, we hold deep concerns regarding the lack of transparency on how this personal data is collected, stored, and interpreted by border authorities.
This policy represents the "thin edge of the wedge" regarding civil liberties and fan rights. Furthermore, consistent with our goal to unite and forge global ties, we express our solidarity with fans from other competing nations.
We are mindful that while Australian fans face rigorous checks, supporters from nations such as Iran or Haiti have been denied entry entirely. We advocate for a consistent, fair, and transparent approach for all members of the global football family.
Regarding the financial reality of the tournament, we acknowledge that while tour operators suggest overall costs may be comparable to Qatar 2022, ticket prices have reached an all-time high.
Despite earlier indications from FIFA of a ~$60 USD entry point, Australian fans are now facing starting prices of approximately $210 AUD for group stage matches.
While we know that supporters will always stretch their finances to follow their team, we must continue to advocate against the pricing out of the working-class fan.
We remain committed to standing with our global allies to call out and hold stakeholders to account to ensure the game remains accessible.
To those travelling: The FSAA stands with you. We will continue to monitor the visa situation closely and provide updates to our members as more details emerge.
