FIFA has been forced into a partial climbdown over ticket prices for the World Cup, reducing costs for the most loyal supporters of national teams following widespread outrage from fan groups across the globe.

The controversy erupted after members of official supporters’ clubs discovered that the cheapest ticket for the World Cup final would cost more than £3,000, while following their national team throughout the tournament could set fans back at least £5,000. The figures sparked immediate anger, with many arguing that football’s biggest event was being priced beyond the reach of ordinary supporters.

In response to mounting criticism, FIFA announced a major revision to its pricing policy. Ten per cent of each participating nation’s ticket allocation for every match — including the final — will now be sold at a heavily reduced price of just $60.

The decision followed a series of meetings in which national football associations raised serious concerns about affordability and the long-term damage to the relationship between fans and the global game. Supporters’ groups had previously described the original pricing structure as a “monumental betrayal” of football’s core values.