GLASGOW: Scotland manager Steve Clarke has urged supporters not to put themselves in financial difficulty in order to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, warning that soaring travel and ticket costs could place an unfair burden on fans.
His comments come after Football Supporters Europe (FSE) called on FIFA to halt sales of national team ticket allocations, accusing the governing body of setting “extortionate” prices that risk excluding ordinary supporters. According to FSE, ticket prices have risen five-fold compared to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Scotland are set to face five-time champions Brazil, 2022 semi-finalists Morocco and Haiti in Group C, with thousands of fans expected to travel to support the team at their first World Cup since 1998. However, Clarke stressed the reality of the costs involved, noting that even a regular trip to the United States requires significant savings.
“America is expensive anyway,” Clarke told Sky Sports. “To get across the Atlantic and enjoy your time there, you need to save up.” While welcoming the excitement around Scotland’s long-awaited return to the World Cup, the manager encouraged supporters to prioritise their financial wellbeing amid growing concerns over affordability.
