John Swinney told FIFA president Gianni Infantino that the dynamic ticket-pricing model used for the tournament – which is taking place across Canada, the US and Mexico – will be “simply unaffordable” for many Scotland supporters.
With tickets for the final reportedly on sale for $10,990 (about £8,000), the SNP leader said he wants the sporting body to introduce a “fair, affordable ticketing model for fans”.
The Scotland men’s team qualified for their first World Cup since 1998 with a dramatic victory against Denmark last year.
In his letter to Mr Infantino, Mr Swinney said: “Our Tartan Army has the chance to see our men’s national team at a World Cup for the first time in decades.
“But our historic return has been marred by FIFA’s dynamic pricing model that has made the trip simply unaffordable for so many loyal supporters.”
Mr Swinney added that dynamic ticket pricing had “made this the most expensive World Cup in history”, adding that the tournament is now “the opposite of what football, and indeed the biggest sporting occasion on the planet, should be about”.
READ NEXT:
The First Minister continued: “Scotland fans, travelling across the globe, are entirely justified in calling for you to put an end to this pricing model, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis when people are really struggling.
“I am urging you to act to introduce a fair, affordable ticketing model for fans.”
Telling Mr Infantino that “football belongs to fans”, Mr Swinney said it is “imperative” for Fifa to “take responsibility to ensure that remains the case”.
The First Minister said: “The Tartan Army are the greatest supporters in the world and follow Scotland around the globe.
“So it is incredibly disappointing that too many of them will be priced out of our first World Cup in nearly 30 years.
“I have written to FIFA to call for fair pricing – the World Cup is an event that should be available to as many people as possible.
“Football should be about fans, not finances.”
FIFA has been contacted for comment.
