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Fifa has just announced 1.2 million tickets were sold within hours of them going on sale this week – but apart from expensive prices, fans will also have to pay for accommodation and flights
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England fans are facing the most expensive World Cup in history at Qatar 2022.
There are 60% fewer tickets in the cheapest categories compared to Russia 2018, fans groups warned today.
Fifa has just announced 1.2 million tickets were sold within hours of them going on sale this week.
But the 10,000 Three Lions supporters expected to make the 7,000-mile round trip will also have to pay for costly hotels and flights.
Gareth Southgate’s side go into the tournament as one of the favourites.
They reached the semi-finals in Russia, and suffered an agonising Euro 2020 final penalty shoot out defeat to Italy.
Matt Willis, spokesman for the Football Supporters Association, said: “The ticket prices in Qatar are a concern for us.
“There is a massive reduction in the number of Category 3 tickets which are the cheapest available.
“If you look at the 974 stadium in Doha, compared to the Kazan venue in Russia – which have similar capacities – there are 60 percent less Cat 3 & 4 tickets for sale.”
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He added that fans were waiting to see the options on accommodation.
“They say there will be 130,000 rooms from two stars to five stars, including a cruise ship,” said Matt.
“But whether they will be affordable for most fans is unknown.”
The cost of attending the World Cup final is up, with ticket prices 46 per cent higher than in Russia.
The steep rise emerged as they went on sale this week.
The most expensive for the December 18 final are 5,850 Qatari riyals (£1,180), up 46 per cent from £808 when France beat Croatia 4-2 four years ago.
The cheapest seats on general sale internationally for the opening game on November 21 have soared 37 percent to £220 from £160 in Russia.
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However, for the other group stage matches there has been a reduction in the cost of some tickets, compared with previous tournaments.
The cheapest tickets on international sale are the lowest prices since the 2006 World Cup in Germany at 250 Qatari riyals (£50).
Tickets for locals are the lowest since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico – 40 Qatari riyals (£8).
Fans applying for tickets on the FIFA website will be entered into a draw and will only find out if they have been successful in early March.
The ticket process has begun with only 13 teams out of 32 having qualified for the finals. It will be concluded after the intercontinental play-offs in June.
Applications in the first phase of ticket sales can be made on the FIFA website until Feb 8.
Fans can also register to follow their team throughout and to watch four matches in four different stadiums.
More than 1.2 million tickets have been requested by fans worldwide in the first 24 hours of the initial sales period.
The highest demand came from fans from Qatar, followed by Argentina, Mexico, the USA, the United Arab Emirates, England, India, Saudi Arabia, Brazil and France.
More than 140,000 tickets have been requested for the final due to take place on December 18, 2022 at Lusail Stadium, and over 80,000 for the opening match.
Fifa has been approached for a comment on the cost of tickets.
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